title: Comparison of naturally conceived and IVF-DZ twins in the Netherlands Twin Registry: a developmental study.
abstract: In a large set of twin pairs, we compared twins born after IVF to naturally conceived twins with respect to birth characteristics, growth, attainment of motor milestones, and emotional and behavioral problems. Twin families were registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. We included 1534 dizygotic (DZ) twins born after IVF, 5315 naturally conceived (NC) DZ twins, and 1504 control NC DZ twins who were matched to the IVF twins based on maternal age, maternal educational level, smoking during pregnancy, gestational age, and offspring sex. Data were obtained by longitudinal surveys sent to fathers, mothers, and teachers at ages 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, and 12 years. Results showed no differences in growth, in attainment of motor milestones, and in behavioral development between IVF and matched NC twins. It can be concluded that for nearly all aspects, development in IVF and NC children is similar.
authors: Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.van.beijsterveldt@vu.nl
authors: Catharina E M
authors: CE
authors: van Beijsterveldt
authors: Meike
authors: M
authors: Bartels
authors: Dorret I
authors: DI
authors: Boomsma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005865:Gestational Age; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010343:Patient Admission; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000523:psychology*