Abstract
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) concep- ion , such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI) and oocyte
donation (OD), account for almost 2% of all births
in Australia. While ART is associated with higher
risk pregnancies (lower birthweight, multiple birth),
research on child outcomes has lagged behind
particularly following more interventionist and less
traditional approaches (ICSI, OD). Outcomes in
regard to the incidence of major birth defects are
inconclusive with higher rates of defects and neurological
sequelae in ART compared to naturally
conceived children found in two recent populationbased
studies. Research has generally revealed I W
children’s intelligence comparable to natural
conception controls, however, the outcome for ICSI
children is less conclusive. One published study
reported more delay in mental development at 1
year of age for ICSI children compared to both IVF
and natural conception controls, although subsequent
follow-up revealed no group differences in
cognitive development at 5 years (Leslie et al.,
2003). ART child behavioural adjustment has been
studied less and findings have varied from more
difficult infant temperament and school age
behavioural difficulties to reports of better adjustment
than comparison groups. This paper will
review current literature on child outcomes following
ART conception with an emphasis on findings
from prospective controlled studies.
sperm injection (ICSI) and oocyte
donation (OD), account for almost 2% of all births
in Australia. While ART is associated with higher
risk pregnancies (lower birthweight, multiple birth),
research on child outcomes has lagged behind
particularly following more interventionist and less
traditional approaches (ICSI, OD). Outcomes in
regard to the incidence of major birth defects are
inconclusive with higher rates of defects and neurological
sequelae in ART compared to naturally
conceived children found in two recent populationbased
studies. Research has generally revealed I W
children’s intelligence comparable to natural
conception controls, however, the outcome for ICSI
children is less conclusive. One published study
reported more delay in mental development at 1
year of age for ICSI children compared to both IVF
and natural conception controls, although subsequent
follow-up revealed no group differences in
cognitive development at 5 years (Leslie et al.,
2003). ART child behavioural adjustment has been
studied less and findings have varied from more
difficult infant temperament and school age
behavioural difficulties to reports of better adjustment
than comparison groups. This paper will
review current literature on child outcomes following
ART conception with an emphasis on findings
from prospective controlled studies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 186-186 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of Psychology |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2004 |
| Event | Conference of the Australian Psychological Society (39th : 2004) - Sydney, Australia Duration: 28 Sept 2004 → 3 Oct 2004 |