The aim of this study was to examine the school
functioning of 8- to 18-year-old children born after in vitro
fertilization (IVF). We compared 233 children born after
IVF to 233 matched control children born spontaneously
from parents with fertility problems on measures of
education level, general cognitive ability, school performance
(need for extra help, repeating a grade, special
education), and rates of learning and developmental
disorders. No differences were found between IVF and
control children on these measures of school functioning.
More than 60% of adolescents at secondary school attended
high academic levels (with access to high school or
university). We conclude that children and adolescents
born after IVF show good academic achievement and
general cognitive ability. They do not experience any more
educational limitations than the naturally conceived children
and adolescents of the control group. The tendency of
reassuring school functioning already found in younger IVF
children has been shown to continue at secondary school
age