Abstract: Objective： To study whether the assisted reproductive technology ［ in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)］ has influence on the physical and intellectual development of the children at the preschool age. Methods: The study group included 50 IVF-ET children, and the control group was a match cohort of 48 children born after being naturally conceived. A matched retrospective cohort study was performed on physical and intellectual development of the two children groups. The control group was matched according to home economics situation, parents’ educational level, etc. Results:In the adjusted analysis, the differences of the physical and the intellectual development between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the language test, the scores of the IVF-ET group was 1.35, 1.05, 1.32, 1.32 higher than those of the control group in the subject of general knowledge, words, synonyms, understanding ability. The IVF-ET group was 1.21 lower than that of the control group in the subject of arithmetics, 1.91 lower than that of the control group in the language subject, 5.5 higher than that of the control group in the operation subject, and 0.40, 0.38 higher than those of the control group in the subject of the maze and geometry. The scores of the control group were 1.04, 0.54, and 0.68 higher than those of the IVF-ET group in the animal house, drawing of vacancy, and block pattern, respectively. The final results of the IVF-ET group and the control group was 115.8 and 114.6, respectively. The ratio of the above medium height of the IVF-ET group and the control group was 30% and 31%, respectively. The ratio of the above medium weight was 30% and 23%, respectively. The IVF-ET group was a little fatter. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the body development. Conclusion: The assisted reproduction technology is not associated with poorer physical and intellectual development. The family pay more attention to the children may promote their development.

Key words: Fertilization in vitro, Embryo transfer, Intelligence, Growth and development, Child, preschool