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Outcomes of Multifetal Reduction: A Hospital-Based Study

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Abstract

Background

Higher-order multiple (HOM) pregnancies are associated with increased incidences of pregnancy complications mainly abortions, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery and fetal death. Multifetal reduction (MFR) during first trimester and subsequent delivery of twins can reduce pregnancy associated morbidities. This study was conducted to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of MFR procedure in patients with HOMs those managed in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods and Material

It was a prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care military hospital, India, and all women with higher-order multiples (triplets or more) conceived spontaneously or after infertility treatment (ovulation induction, intra-uterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization) during the 3-year period from Jan 2014 to Dec 2016 were included for MFR. Demographic and clinical data, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were tabulated.

Results

The study included 32 HOM pregnancies which underwent MFR. 16% patients had pre-eclampsia and 12% patients had gestational diabetes. The study had 2 pregnancy losses before 24 weeks period of gestation (POG). 70% patients underwent cesarean delivery with mean gestational age of 35.5 weeks. Average birth weight of newborn was 1820 gm and 80% of them required NICU admission.

Conclusion

Favorable pregnancy outcomes can be achieved after multifetal reductions during first trimester in higher-order multiples, but the procedure is not totally safe.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, 411040, India

    Madhusudan Dey & Monica Saraswat

Authors
  1. Madhusudan Dey
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  2. Monica Saraswat
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Madhusudan Dey.

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Conflict of interest

Dey Madhusudan and Monica Saraswat declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Additional informed consent was obtained from all patients for whom identifying information is included in this article.

Additional information

Madhusudan Dey is a Associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Monica Saraswat is a Clinical Tutor in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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Dey, M., Saraswat, M. Outcomes of Multifetal Reduction: A Hospital-Based Study. J Obstet Gynecol India 68, 264–269 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-017-1024-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-017-1024-1

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