Socio-emotional and language development of 2-year-old children born after PGD/PGS, and parental well-being

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to assess socio-emotional and language development in 2-year-old children born after preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and genetic aneuploidy screening (PGS), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and natural conception (NC) and to assess parental well-being.

Methods: Parents of 2-year-old PGD/PGS (n = 41), ICSI (n = 35) and NC (n = 53) singleton children were recruited. The socio-emotional development of the children was assessed using the Child Behavioural Checklist (CBCL) and the Short Temperament Scale for Toddlers. Parental stress and health status was measured with the Parent Stress Index and the General Health Questionnaire. Language development was assessed with the McArthur Communicative Development Inventories.

Results: No differences were found for temperament, language development, parental stress or health status. The mothers in the PGD/PGS and ICSI group reported significantly fewer CBCL Total problems than their NC counterparts, whereas for the CBCL Externalizing problems, only the ICSI mothers reported fewer problems than their PGD/PGS and NC counterparts. Fathers in the ICSI group also rated their children as having fewer Externalizing and Total behavioural problems.

Conclusions: PGD/PGS conception does not adversely affect children's socio-emotional and language development at age 2, nor did parents differ from ICSI and NC parents for parental stress and health status.