Developmental status of ART children and children with GDM: a cohort study

Abstract Objective: to find the relationship between using assisted reproductive technology (ART) and an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) Design A cohort study Setting and Population singleton pregnant mothers aged 20–42 years during 2014- 2017, who conceived via ART or SC Past medical history of mothers, infant feeding, and demographic data were obtained from the mothers’ files. The children’s height and weight were collected. The children were assessed for growth and development using Age and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) by asking the mothers. Methods: One-way ANOVA, stepwise regression, and post hoc analysis were used. Statistical analyses were made by SPSS. Main Outcome Measures GDM Results The number of children in each group separately is: 423 singleton pregnancies including 197 ART conceptions (102 subjects with and 95 without GDM diagnosis), and 226 spontaneous conceptions (116 subjects with and 110 without GDM diagnosis). Maternal variables were significant in the child’s communication development including preeclampsia, mother hypothyroidism, GDM, and previous abortion. Also, child-related variables were significantly associated with communication development consisting of neonatal weight, head and chest circumstances, LBW, preterm, neonatal Apgar 1min/ 5 min, congenital abnormality, neonatal hypoglycemia, and frequency of phototherapy to decrease hyperbilirubinemia, and finally, the significant variables. ASQ showed: The highest score mean belonged to SC). Children born via ART – GDM got the lowest score. And those means differences were all significant. Conclusions. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy is an important factor in reducing the average developmental score of the child, whether born naturally or through assisted reproduction.