Spontaneous embryonic loss following in vitro fertilization: incidence and effect on outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the early spontaneous loss rate in multiple pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology (ART).


METHODS
Analysis of pregnancies following ART as related to the initial number of embryos and maternal age was performed.


RESULTS
At least one spontaneous loss was observed in 47.0% (95% CI 29.8-64.9) of quadruplets, 59.3% (95% CI 48.2-69.8) of triplets, and 35.2% (95% CI 29.6-41.2) of twins. The increased loss rates in mothers > or =35 years was related to early twin pregnancies, but not to early triplet and quadruplet gestations. We could not find an effect of the starting number of embryos on either gestational age or birth weight characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations did not identify a clear relation between early spontaneous loss of multiple gestations and either initial number of embryos or maternal age. Other factors might be involved in the outcome of ART multiple pregnancies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Giovanni B
GB
La Sala
Giuseppe
G
Nucera
Andrea
A
Gallinelli
Alessia
A
Nicoli
Maria Teresa
MT
Villani
Isaac
I
Blickstein
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011783:Quadruplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014310:Triplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014427:Twins / Q000706:statistics & numerical data