Development of infants born to mothers with normal and impaired reproductive function in the context of the social situation of development

Context and relevance. For children in the first months of life, the basis of the social situation of development (SSD) is their involvement in the mother–child relationship. Conception and pregnancy achieved through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) often result in a chronic stressful situation for the woman, which can negatively affect the development of her maternal attitude. Communication with a close adult is the leading activity of a child in the first six months of life, and its disruption affects the overall development of children from these dyads. Objective. To compare the indicators of motor and emotional development in three-month-old children conceived with and without the use of reproductive technologies. Hypothesis. The social situation of development (SSD) in children born to mothers who used assisted reproductive technologies (ART) differs significantly from that in children born to mothers who did not, which is reflected in indicators of motor and emotional development as early as three months of age. Methods and materials. The study included 83 mother–child dyads with infants aged 3 to 3,8 months. In 20,5% of cases, the children were conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The research methods employed were clinical, experimental-psychological, and statistical. Results. The hypothesis was confirmed: children born with the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) differed from their peers with statistical significance in the level of motor skills development, despite approximately comparable indicators of physical health. Conclusions. The conditions of conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period create a high risk of emotional disturbances and a shift in priorities in interaction with children for women who conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The social situation of development (SSD) for children is determined by these factors and may, in some cases, be considered emotionally deficient. Minimal differences in the level of physical health indicate that features of social interaction are the primary causes of delays in motor skills.