A comparison of the outcomes between twin and reduced twin pregnancies produced through assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of twin pregnancies, derived from IVF cycles, with and without fetal reduction.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
The IVF Division of the Lee Women's Hospital, Taiwan.


METHODS
Seven hundred forty-two twin pregnancies, including 389 nonreduced pregnancies, 353 of which resulted from fetal reduction.


METHODS
Selective fetal reduction for high-order multiple pregnancies.


METHODS
The rates of extreme prematurity and prematurity (i.e., less than 28 and 36 weeks gestational age, respectively), frequency of birth weight discordance, mean birth weight of twins, neonatal mortality, and morbidity.


RESULTS
The fetal reduction group was associated with a higher incidence of extreme prematurity, prematurity, and lower birth weight than the nonreduced group, although the impact was relatively small. These findings were more pronounced among patients with a higher initial number of fetuses. The rates of discordant birth weights between the two groups were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
High-order multiple pregnancies after fetal reduction is still associated with a mild increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight when compared to nonreduced twin pregnancies. These results provide an additional reason to limit the number of embryos transferred during IVF.
Cheang
Chong-U
CU
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macau.
Huang
Lii-Shung
LS
Lee
Tsung-Hsien
TH
Liu
Chung-Hsien
CH
Shih
Yang-Tse
YT
Lee
Maw-Sheng
MS
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018607:Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins