Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Mar;44(3):472-477.

Perinatal Outcome of Reduced Twin Pregnancies from Triplet by Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction in Patients underwent In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

• Lee HR
• Lee DS
• Park EJ
• Kim SH
• Cheon DJ
• Chae HD
• Kim CH
• Kang BM
• Park K
• Chang YS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the perinatal outcome and complications of reduced twin pregnancies from triplet by multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) in patients who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1995 to December 1999, a total of 71 twin pregnancies were included in this study. The patients were grouped into the MFPR group (n = 19) and the non-MFPR group (n = 59). The pregnancies in the MFPR group were reduced to twin from triplet by the MFPR. MFPR was performed by transvaginal sonography-guided fetal aspiration or mechanical trauma. The obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and kappa2 test as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in mean gestational age and distribution of gestational age between the two groups. However, the fetal loss rate before 24 weeks of gestation was significantly higher in the MFPR group than the non-MFPR group. We did not find any significant differences in mean birth weight and weight discordancy between the two groups. There were no differences in obstetric and perinatal outcomes between the MFPR and non MFPR groups as well.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that pregnancy outcome of reduced twin pregnancies from triplet by MFPR in patients underwent IVF-ET might be comparable to that of non-reduced twin pregnancies.

Keyword

Multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR); Reduced twin; Pregnancy outcome

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Embryo Transfer*
Embryonic Structures*
Female
Fertilization in Vitro*
Gestational Age
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal*
Pregnancy, Twin*
Triplets*