Multifetal pregnancy reduction of triplets to twins compared with non-reduced triplets: a meta-analysis

Abstract

The current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies following multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR) compared with non-reduced triplet pregnancies. All studies comparing perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies following MPR to non-reduced triplet pregnancies were considered. MEDLINE, non-indexed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science were searched for relevant published articles up to August 2016. The search yielded 653 publications of which 92 were assessed for eligibility. A total of 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the outcomes of pregnancies following MPR were better compared with expectantly managed triplets. The MPR group delivered at a later gestational age and was less likely to be delivered before 32 or 28 weeks' gestation. Newborns in the MPR group had significantly higher birthweight at delivery (mean difference 500 g [95% CI 439.95, 560.04]). Rates of pregnancy loss before 24 weeks' gestation and overall infant survival were comparable between the groups. This meta-analysis suggests that MPR of triplet pregnancies to twins is associated with improved perinatal outcome compared with non-reduced triplets. Should primary prevention of high order multiple pregnancy fail, MPR is an appropriate alternative to minimize the perinatal morbidity and mortality of triplet pregnancies.

Keywords: meta-analysis; multifetal pregnancy reduction; non-reduced triplets; perinatal outcome; triplets.