Fl. Gibson et al., DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF INFANTS CONCEIVED THROUGH IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION, Human reproduction (Oxford. Print), 13(6), 1998, pp. 1727-1732
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.