title: Comparison of growth parameters of 5-year-old singleton children born in assisted versus natural conception.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present, about 1% of newborns are delivered through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the growth parameters of children born in assisted and natural conception at 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional case control study, weight, height and head circumference of 5-year old children were assessed. The case group consisted of term, singleton babies who were products of ART in the Center for Infertility of Shahid Sadoughi University, Yazd, Iran in 2005. The control group consisted of term, fi rst child, singleton and spontaneously conceived 5-year-old children who were referred for vaccination to primary health care center of Shahid Akbari in 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight girls (47.5%) and 64 boys (52.5%) "with equal numbers in each of the 2 groups" were evaluated. Sex distribution, mean ages of fathers and mothers were not statistically significant different in both groups. Children born after ART tend to have lower birth weight, smaller birth head circumference and lower weight at 5 years of age. Having low birth weight (<2500 g), being underweight and having short stature at the age of 5 were more common in babies born through ART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Growth retardation is more prevalent in babies born through ART. Thus, growth assessment, parents' knowledge about child physical development, and timely and accurate follow-up of these children are necessary for early detection of any growth disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Growth Disorders of Children Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Razieh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.forename: Mohammad Taghi
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jalalian
authors.forename: Motahhareh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golestan
authors.forename: Razieh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dehghani-Firouzabadi
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D057238:Growth Charts; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*