title: IVF twins have similar obstetric and neonatal outcome as spontaneously conceived twins: a prospective follow-up study.
abstract: Studies comparing the outcome of spontaneous versus IVF twin pregnancies report heterogeneous results. This may depend on differences in the studied populations and/or in the management approach to twin pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to compare both maternal and perinatal outcomes in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies who where spontaneously conceived or originated by successful homologous IVF. In order to get homogeneous observations, monochorionic twin pregnancies and triplet pregnancies were excluded. Moreover, to avoid any possible bias deriving from differences in the obstetric management, all pregnancies were managed by the same team applying fixed obstetric protocols. The study included 223 twin pregnancies, 84 conceived by IVF and 139 spontaneously conceived. Overall, maternal and perinatal outcomes were similar in the two groups: no significant differences were observed as far as gestational age at delivery, birthweight, perinatal morbidity and mortality, and rate of malformations were concerned. The rate of Caesarean section was slightly, but not significantly, higher in IVF pregnancies. In conclusion, the outcome of IVF twin pregnancies is comparable to that of spontaneously conceived twin pregnancies, provided that the same management criteria are applied.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecological and Obstetrical Sciences, University of Turin, S. Anna Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vasario
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Borgarello
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bossotti
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Libanori
authors.forename: Marilisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biolcati
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arduino
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delle Piane
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Revelli
authors.forename: Tullia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Todros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic