DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF INFANTS CONCEIVED THROUGH IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

The development, behaviour and temperament of 65 singleton infants con ceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and 63 matched controls we re compared at 1 year postpartum. Primiparous women were recruited dur ing pregnancy and their infants' development was assessed at 1 year. I n addition, test-taking behaviour was evaluated by an examiner using t he Bayley behaviour rating scale and mothers completed a behaviour pro blem checklist and temperament scale. Mental, motor, speech and social development were appropriate for age, with no significant group diffe rences. While receptive language development was in the normal range, IVF infants scored lower than control infants. Across both groups, mot hers reported low levels of behaviour difficulty and mean temperament ratings were in the general population range. There were no group diff erences in observed test-taking behaviour. However, IVF mothers rated their children at a higher level of behaviour difficulty and more reac tive than the ratings given by control mothers. Overall, singleton chi ldren conceived through IVF demonstrate appropriate general developmen t at 1 year of age. The higher reported behaviour difficulty experienc ed by IVF mothers may reflect their concerns about the well-being and adjustment of their child during the first year.