Comparison of the outcomes of primary twin pregnancies and twin pregnancies following fetal reduction

Abstract

High-order multifetal pregnancy is an inevitable consequence of assisted reproduction; and is associated with an increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Fetal reduction appears to be a safe and efficacious method for improving obstetric outcome. We made a retrospective study of study population 54 high multiple pregnancy following assisted reproduction that were reduced to twins at Shin Kong Memorial Hospital, Taipei,Taiwan from September 1992 to March 2000. Our study compares the outcome of multifetal pregnancy reduced to twins with the outcome of primary twin pregnancy. Maternal age, birth weight, gestational age at delivery and the incidence of preterm contractions were the only statistically significant differences between the two groups.