SUN-076 Somatic and Neurodevelopmental Outcome and Muscle Tone in 5 to 9 Year Old Children Born After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing the development and health status of children born after assisted reproductive techniques is very important. This also applies to somatic and neurological development. Little is known on the development of muscle tone in children. Aim of our study was to evaluate the somatic and neurological development in children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with special focus on proximal muscle tone. Material and methods: A group of 82 singletons (ICSI) aged 5–9 years (42 M, 40 F) and a control group of 82 singletons spontaneously conceived (SC), all with low morbidity, were compared by age and sex. Comprehensive assessment by endocrinologist, clinical anthropologist and pediatric neurologist was performed. Results: Both ICSI and SC children had normal somatic development. In the standard neurological testing, motor development did not differ significantly in ICSI children compared with the general population. Nevertheless, some coordination abnormalities tested by diadochokinesis and by the finger-nose test, were found in all but 7 ICSI children (ICSI in 91 % versus SC in 9 %; p<0.001). A prominent hypotonia of upper girdle muscles tested by the scarf sign was found in all but 4 ICSI children (ICSI in 95 % versus SC in 61 %; p<0.001). In the contrary, no difference was found for lower girdle muscle tone in ICSI versus SC children. Any of the factors tested for possible relationship to upper girdle muscle hypotonia was not found to be significant. Conclusions: As far as we know, this study is the first evaluation of proximal muscle tone in ICSI children aged 5 - 9 years. Subtle changes in the neurological status were revealed comparing ICSI and SC children, i. e. the prominent upper girdle muscle hypotonia and the coordination changes. The hypotonia can be explained by a slight change in the muscle tone maturation and movement coordination. The ICSI method very likely does not have any negative effect on the neurodevelopmental outcome of children. Nevertheless, the development of muscle tone and coordination in ICSI children should be monitored. Early diagnosis of these abnormalities helps to early initiation of appropriate therapy and thus avoids possible complications.