title: Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction.
abstract: Multiple gestations of triplets or more have a significant increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality compared with twins. On average, triplet gestations deliver at approximately 33.5 weeks. Approximately 25% deliver at <32 weeks and 10% deliver <28 weeks. Maternal complications are also significantly increased. Multifetal pregnancy reduction involves the ultrasonically guided injection of KCl into the fetal thorax to induce asystole. It is performed to reduce the potential for early preterm delivery associated with higher-order multiple gestations. Multifetal pregnancy reduction to twins increases gestational age at delivery by 4 weeks and significantly improves maternal and fetal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Physician & Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Običan
authors.forename: Clifton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wapner
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018607:Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control*