Features of social and hygienic characteristics in families with women of late reproductive age, raising children after ART

Abstract

Objectives to study the social and hygienic characteristics of families of women of late reproductive age (LRA) who are raising children, conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Samara region.
 Material and methods. In the study, 500 women of late reproductive age (LRA) and their children took part using the "pair of copies" method: the main group included women of LRA giving birth with ART (n=250), the control group LRA women giving birth without ART (n=250). The average age of mothers at the time of birth was 39.110.5 years in the main group and 36.950.76 years in the control group. The social and hygienic examination involved the data collection from children's medical records and interviewing mothers with the help of specially designed questionnaires that included questions on medical activity and social factors.
 Results. The main and control groups presented the differences in the medical activity. The families with children born after ART showed a more attentive attitude to the child's health, strict adherence to the recommendations of the doctor in case of illness, and observance of the daily routine. However, in terms of social adaptation and physical development, the children born after ART are inferior to those in the control group: they spend less time outdoors and, as a rule, do not attend additional study groups or sports sections.