Introduction: Neonates assisted by reproductive thechniques (ART) consist 2-4% of total number of neonates in developed countries.
There are many contraversy about their physical and developmental status. There are evidence of more incidence of multifetal delivery, Low birth weight, Prematurity and congenital anomalies in ART infants.
The aim of this study is assessment of physical and developmental health status of ART infants in Tehran.
Materials and methods: Infants who borned by ART in Royan institute of Tehran from approval of proposa / till 17 months later were selected by non random consecutive method for a discriptive study.
Mothers who became pregnant in Royan institute signed informed consent to bring their infants after birth to Child Health and Development Research Center for assessment. 400 infants were examed two times (first time between birth and 6 months old and second thime between 6 and 9 months old) by a pediatrician. Data were gathered by questionnaire which completed by parents and phsycian. Data were analyzed by spss version 10.
Results: From 400 infants, one third were preterm and low birth weight. 20% of mothers were older than 35 years old.
All infants had normal blood pressure for their age. One fifth of infants who had low birth weight were single.
Icter was the most complication of neonatal period which was more in ICSI infants and multi fetal delivery. It had equal incidence in term and preterm neonates.
Anomaly of systems or organs were seen more in skin (11.2%), gasterointestinal system (6.7%) and urogenital system (6.7%).involvement of these systems had higher incidence in preterm and multi fetal delivery . 6.7% of infants had one of major anomaly. It was higher in IVF infants (11.1%), preterm infants (10.4%) and multi fetal delivery (8.1%).
Weight gain pattern of 4.7% infants from birth to 6 months old and 4.2% from 6 to 9 months old were less than -2SD of normal weight gain. The most loss were seen in IUI infants, term infants and single fetal of delivery.
Development in four field of communication, fine motor, gross motor and personal – social were assessed two times by Denver II test.
8.6% of infants had delay in one field. Gross motor delay were more common (4.2%) and were higher in ICSI, IUI, preterm and multifetal delivery.
Conclusion and discussion: Most ART infants had acceptable prenatal, neonatal and infancy period. The most affecting factor of their health are preterm delivery, Low birth weight, height and head circumference. These are reported in single delivery of ART neonates more than single neonate of normal conception.
Neonatal period complication such as icter and reopiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates are more than single neonates.
Two third of these studied infants had normal physical exam and 6.7% had one of major anormalies which was higher in IVF infants.
Anomaly of skin, gasterointestinal system, ear throat, nose (ENT), head and neck were more in IUI infants.
Anomaly of urogenital and cardiovascular system and limbs and bones were higher in IVF infants.
Anomaly of Visual, nervous and endocrine system were higher in ICSI infants.
8.6% af ART infant had delay in one of developmental field which had no significant difference with normal infants like other studies.