The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 48(8), 601-609, 2003
Abstract
This review addresses questions related to medicosocial concerns surrounding the care of women with multiple births and their infants. Relevant articles and texts on twin and triplet pregnancies were reviewed. Population-based data were selected for inclusion whenever possible. Relevant tables were simplified from original sources. The review clarifies obstetric and perinatal questions in a manner that is helpful to clinicians and their patients.
Topics
Cite this article
Nowak, E., Blickstein, I., Papiernik, E., & Keith, L. (2003). Iatrogenic multiple pregnancies. Do they complicate perinatal care? The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 48(8), 601-609.
Nowak E, Blickstein I, Papiernik E, Keith L. Iatrogenic multiple pregnancies. Do they complicate perinatal care? J Reprod Med. 2003;48(8):601-609.
Nowak, E., et al. "Iatrogenic multiple pregnancies. Do they complicate perinatal care?" The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, vol. 48, no. 8, 2003, pp. 601-609.
Keywords
Female, Humans, Perinatal Care, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Pregnancy, Multiple, Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/adverse Effects
Related articles
Pregnancy-related complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes in multiple pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technology: a meta-analysis of cohort studies
Qin J et al., 2015 · Fertility and Sterility
To provide an up-to-date comparison of pregnancy-related complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes of multiple pregnancies generated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) vs. spontaneous conception. Meta-analysis. University-affiliated teaching hospital.Patient(s)Multiple pregnancies conceived by ART or naturally.Intervention(s)Searches through October 2014 were conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Libraries, China Biology Medicine disc, Chinese Scientific Journals Fulltext Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data, to identify studies that met prestated inclusion criteria. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was used to calculate the overall combined risk estimates. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore potential heterogeneity moderators.Main outcome measure(s)Pregnancy-related complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Result(s)Thirty-nine cohort studies involving 146,008 multiple births were included in the meta-analysis. Multiple pregnancies from ART were associated with a higher risk of premature rupture of membranes (relative risk [RR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.37; I(2) = 15%); pregnancy-induced hypertension (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19; I(2) = 6%); gestational diabetes mellitus (RR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.25-2.55; I(2) = 42%); preterm birth (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.14; I(2) = 83%); very preterm birth (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34; I(2) = 79%); low birth weight (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07; I(2) = 47%); very low birth weight (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.25; I(2) = 62%); and congenital malformation (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22; I(2) = 30%). The relevant heterogeneity moderators have been identified by subgroup analysis. Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results. No evidence of publication bias was observed.Conclusion(s)Although the role of potential bias and evidence of heterogeneity should be carefully evaluated, the present study suggests that multiple pregnancies generated via ART, vs. spontaneous conception, are associated with higher risks of pregnancy-related complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further research is needed to determine which aspect of ART poses the most risk and how this risk can be minimized.
Outcome of twin, triplet, and quadruplet in vitro fertilization pregnancies: the Norfolk experience
Seoud MA et al., 1992 · Fertil Steril ·
To review the maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) multiple pregnancies. Retrospective analysis of data collected from office and hospital records and from questionnaires sent to patients, their obstetricians, and pediatricians. Patients (all with private insurance carriers) enrolled in an academic IVF program (The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine). PATIENTS, All IVF pregnancies resulting in one or more gestational sacs on the initial ultrasound at 6 to 7 weeks were reviewed. The frequency and severity of obstetrical and neonatal complications and the perinatal mortality of IVF twins, triplets, and quadruplets were compared. These were also compared with non-IVF multiple pregnancies. From 1982 to 1990, 629 IVF pregnancies progressed beyond 20 weeks; 115 twins (18.3%), 15 triplets (2.4%), and 4 quadruplets (0.6%). There was a high incidence of antenatal complications such as abortions (30.3%, 42%, and 20%), premature labor (41.5%, 92.3%, and 75%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (17.0%, 38.6%, and 50%), and gestational diabetes mellitus (3.1%, 38.5%, and 25%) for twins, triplets, and quadruplets, respectively. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.5 +/- 3.7, 31.8 +/- 2.7, and 31.0 +/- 1.7 weeks, respectively. There was also a proportionate progressive increase in neonatal complications. The mean weights were 2,473 +/- 745, 1,666 +/- 441 and 1,414 +/- 368 g, respectively. Twins (22.7%), 64.1% of triplets, and 75% of quadruplets needed admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and remained for an average of 12.0 +/- 2.3, 17.4 +/- 14.0, and 57.8 +/- 17.9 days, respectively. There was no difference in the mean Apgar scores or the incidence of congenital malformations in the three groups. The corrected perinatal mortality rates were 38.5, 0.0, and 0.0 per thousand live births, respectively. Triplet and quadruplet IVF pregnancies have increased obstetrical and neonatal complications compared with IVF twins. The perinatal mortality and the incidence of congenital malformations are, however, comparable in all three groups.
Polycystic ovary disease and the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension
Kashyap S et al., 2001 · J Reprod Med ·
To compare the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in patients with and without polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). We conducted a retrospective, case-control analysis of patients who achieved singleton pregnancies with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy. Twenty-two PCOD patients were compared to 27 infertility patients without PCOD who were pregnant after hMG therapy. Non-PCOD patients received hMG for superovulation as part of superovulation/intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer. PCOD patients were receiving hMG for simple ovulation induction. Pregnancy-induced hypertension was defined as late pregnancy blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg on two readings six hours apart and return to normal blood pressure by four to six weeks postpartum. There were no differences between PCOD and non-PCOD patients with reference to age, body mass index, parity or other pregnancy-induced hypertension risk factors (i.e., chronic hypertension, diabetes or chronic renal disease). Pregnant PCOD patients had a much higher incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, 31.8% (7/22), versus non-PCOD patients, who only had a pregnancy-induced hypertension incidence of 3.7% (1/27) (P = .016, OR = 12.1, 95% CI = 1.3-566.8). PCOD patients are at very high risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension when pregnant after ovulation induction.
Pregnancy in infertile PCOD patients. Complications and outcome
Urman B et al., 1997 · J Reprod Med ·
To evaluate the complications and outcome of pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). The course and outcome of 47 singleton pregnancies in women with well-documented PCOD were compared with those in 100 healthy controls. Women with PCOD had a significantly higher body mass index as compared to the control group (P < .05); however, the proportion of lean versus obese subjects in the two groups was similar. The incidence of an abnormal glucose challenge test, gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly increased in pregnant women with PCOD (P < .05). When lean PCOD subjects were compared with lean control subjects, the difference in the incidence of the above complications was still significant (P < .05). The incidence of pregnancy complications was similar when obese PCOD subjects were compared with obese controls. Women with PCOD were at increased risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension, and this risk appeared to be independent of body mass index.