Birth Size of Infants Born Near-term after In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Compared to Normal Infants

Objective: Due to recent scientific progress in assisted reproductive techniques (ART), infertile couples can now become fertile. Thus, a number of infants in our country are the results of these costly interventions. This study has been undertaken to evaluate the physical growth process of different methods of ART infants by standard growth charts from birth until nine months of age.

Methods: We measured the anthropometric data of 100 infants newborns conceived through ART [intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at HMC. A sequential sampling method in a period of 2 years was used. Their birth size was assessed by measuring infants` weight, height and head circumference, and physical examination. The weight for age SDS (WSDS), length SDS (LSDS) and head circumference SDS (HCSDS) were calculated with reference to normal standard for gestational age and sex of the newborn.

Findings: In comparison with normal growth standards for gestational age and gender, the HCSDS was < 2SDS in 3/100 infants, the LSDS was < -2 in 6/100 infants, and WSDS was < -2 in 16 % of the infants. Low birth weight (LBW) infants were twice more in the ART group compared to infants of normal population.

Conclusion: Infants born with ART have normal intrauterine growth appropriate for their gestation age. However, they are more susceptible to be underweight at birth than normal infants.