Comparative prospective study of the psychological development of children born by in vitro fertilization and their mothers

Abstract

A comparative prospective survey of psychomotor development and mother—infant bonding was conducted on 33 children born after in vitro fertilization and two control groups composed of: a group of children born to infertile women who underwent ovulation induction treatment but with no medically assisted procreation; and a group of children born by natural procreation, with no medical intervention. No major disorders were observed. In the postpartum, the minor mother—infant relational problems seemed to be more frequent in the in vitro fertilization and infertility groups but with no statistical differences. At 9 months, the factors related to sleep disturbances in the child and maternal depressive syndromes seemed to be more frequent in the in vitro fertilization and infertility groups than in the controls. At 18 months these minor disturbances decreased and there were fewer differences across the three groups. This trend was confirmed at 3 years.