Aspects of the quality of life of children born with the use of assisted reproductive technologies to women of late reproductive age

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, an increasing number of women worldwide have been postponing childbearing, and the birth of children is possible with increasing frequency in late reproductive age only with the use of assisted reproductive technologies. The persistence of this tendency determines the relevance of studying the characteristics of the quality of life of children born as a result of assisted reproductive technologies by women of late reproductive age, as well as subsequent work with factors that affect the quality of life of this group of children.
 AIM: This study aimed to analyze and determine the characteristics of the quality of life of children born with the use of assisted reproductive technologies by women of late reproductive age.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main group of subjects consisted of preschool children (46 years old) born to women over 35 years old (249 children), whereas 248 children of the same age were enrolled as a control group. Conception with the use of assisted reproductive technologies was the main distinguishing feature of the main and control groups. Informed consent was obtained from the parents for the participation of children in the study. The protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of the Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. A survey was performed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (validated Russian version 4.0) parental form for age categories of 24 and 57 years, as well as a pediatric version for 57 years of age.
 RESULTS: The quality of life of the main group had significantly lower indicators compared to the control group, with an average score in the general quality of life of 64.52.5 and 79.53.1 in the main and control group, respective, p=0.047. This is mainly due to the lower values of the communicative aspect and the quality of life in kindergarten. The average quality of life score in the field of communication was 70.44.3 and 83.93.4 in the main group and control group, respectively. Additionally, the average quality of life score in the kindergarten was 40.32.6 and 84.23.3 in the main and control group.
 CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of preschool children born with the use of assisted reproductive technologies to women of late reproductive age significantly differs from those in the control group. Children born with the use of assisted reproductive technologies have a comparable quality of life in physical activity and emotional state; however, this group experiences the greatest difficulties in the field of communication, especially in kindergarten with peers. These aspects of functioning require special attention from the parents and pediatricians, as well as adjustments within the health-improving measures that are performed in this group of children.