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. 2025 Jan 4;17(1):e76908.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.76908. eCollection 2025 Jan.

Neurological Sequelae in Children Born After Assisted Conception Techniques in a Tertiary University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Fadi Busaleh  1 , Fahad A Bashiri  2 , Ahmed A Almasabi  3 , Aljoharah A Almaziad  4 , Alhanouf Alhaluli  5 , Taif Alshammari  6 , Abdullah E Bu Saleh  7 , Abdulhadi A Alali  8
Affiliations

Neurological Sequelae in Children Born After Assisted Conception Techniques in a Tertiary University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Fadi Busaleh et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Assisted conception (AC) methods, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), have transformed reproductive medicine by offering solutions to infertility. However, their long-term health implications, particularly on neurological outcomes in children, require further investigations, especially in the Middle East. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the neurological complications among children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques at King Khalid University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive retrospective review was conducted on the records of pediatric patients born via assisted conception between January 2017 and December 2022. Eligible children aged 18 months and older were included. Data on demographic characteristics, antenatal and postnatal complications, and neurological assessments were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Out of 303 patients, 283 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 4.1 ± 1.7 years. Most deliveries were via cesarean section (CS) (194, 68.6%). Premature births accounted for 129 (45.6%), with antenatal complications reported in 58 (45.0%). The primary neurological sequela identified was speech disorder, affecting 18 children (6.4%), with a smaller proportion experiencing behavioral issues (eight, 2.8%) and motor delays (five, 1.8%). Significant associations were found between neurological complications and factors such as very preterm status, low birth weight (LBW), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and associated complications during NICU stays. Conclusion Although the majority of children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques exhibit no significant complications, those born prematurely appear to have a higher risk of neurological issues. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring for children born through assisted conception, particularly those with identified risk factors. Future prospective studies are necessary to further elucidate these associations and improve clinical outcomes for this population.

Keywords: assisted conception; in vitro fertilization (ivf); intracytoplasmic sperm injection (icsi); low birth weight; neonatal intensive care unit (nicu); neurological outcomes; pediatric health; preterm birth; reproductive technology; systemic complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The King Saud University (KSU) Institutional Review Board (IRB) issued approval 24/1108/IRB. The King Saud University (KSU) IRB has determined that the proposed study is "exempt" from further IRB review. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The overall prevalence of neurological sequelae among children born after assisted conception.
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