Influence of the Mother's Age at Fertilization on the Assessment of Mental Development of Children 3-7 Years Old of Artificial and Natural Conception

The age of the mother at the time of fertilization may vary, as may the reasons for resorting to artificial insemination (assisted reproductive technologies, ART). This paper analyzes the influence of the mother's age on the subsequent cognitive and speech development of children. The following groups were identified: (1) children aged 3 to 7 years 11 months (n=54) from mothers of different ages who conceived by ART; (2) children aged 3 to 7 years 11 months (n=61) from mothers of different ages who were conceived naturally. The aim of the study was to compare the parameters of cognitive and speech development of children conceived by ART and natural conception, and to identify the possible remote influence of the mother's age at the time of fertilization on the subsequent cognitive and speech development of children who have reached preschool and primary school age. The significance of the mother's age at conception for subsequent cognitive and speech development of children is shown, which does not completely coincide when using ART procedures or with natural conception.