辅助生殖技术助孕后的多胎妊娠早孕期减胎91例分析

目的:评价辅助生殖技术(ART)助孕后多胎妊娠早孕期减胎术的安全性及必要性。方法:回顾性分析91例多胎妊娠B超引导下经阴道选择性减胎患者的临床资料,统计其早期流产率、晚期流产率,并将减胎后的患者分为单胎妊娠组及双胎妊娠组,统计各组早产率、早产孕周、早产平均体质量及足月低体质量儿出生率,并与同期施行ART助孕的单胎妊娠及未行减胎的双胎妊娠4 623例进行比较分析。结果:减胎组早期流产率为2.20%,明显优于同期妊娠的早期流产率(10.96%),组间有统计学差异。减胎后的单胎妊娠组早产率、早期流产率及晚期流产率均优于未行减胎的双胎妊娠组。结论:早孕期施行B超引导下经阴道选择性减胎术是安全的,且可有效减少多胎妊娠发生,改善其不良妊娠结局。     

辅助生殖技术单卵双胎相关因素分析及含单绒毛膜双胎三胎妊娠减除单绒毛膜双胎之一的临床结局比较

目的探讨辅助生殖技术(ART)治疗后行多胎妊娠减胎术中单卵双胎(MZT)的发生和三胎妊娠行单绒毛膜双胎中一胎减胎术保留双胎者的临床结局。方法回顾性分析ART治疗后行经阴道多胎妊娠减胎术的196例患者的临床资料,分析比较MZT在不同分组中的发生情况,同时比较其中伴单绒毛膜双胎的三胎妊娠减单绒毛膜双胎之一者(A组)与不伴单绒毛膜双胎的三胎妊娠减胎后保留双胎者(B组)的临床结局。结果 (1)196例患者中MZT所占比率为44.39%(87/196)。MZT占比率在体外受精(IVF)组(0.85%)、卵胞质内单精子显微注射(ICSI)组(0.66%)、冻融胚胎移植(FET)组(0.78%)和人工授精(AIH/AID)组(0.16%)间比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.001);在辅助孵化(AH)组(1.48%)和无AH组(0.44%)间比较差异亦有统计学意义(P=0.000)。MZT占比率在高龄(≥35岁)和非高龄患者中(P=0.330)及卵裂期胚胎移植组和囊胚期胚胎移植组组间(P=0.950)比较差异无统计学意义。(2)A组和B组患者的平均年龄、平均孕周、新生儿的平均胎龄、平均胎儿出生体质量、流产率、早期流产率、晚期流产率、早产率、足月产率、活产率、低出生体质量儿发生率、新生儿出生缺陷率和妊娠并发症率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 ART行多胎妊娠减胎术的患者中MZT所占几率很高,为减少MZT的发生,尽量选择单胚胎移植;A组和B组患者临床结局无统计学差异,单绒毛膜双胎中一胎减胎术可能是安全而可行的。     

辅助生殖技术多胎妊娠行减胎术对临床结局的影响

目的:评估辅助生殖技术多胎妊娠选择性经阴道减为单胎的安全性和必要性。方法:回顾分析本中心行辅助生殖技术治疗后获得妊娠的患者,其中单胎妊娠2760例,双胎未减胎1258例,三胎未减胎15例,减胎后单胎18例。比较各组的流产率、早产率、剖宫产率、分娩孕周、新生儿出生体重及低体重儿出生率等。结果:减胎后单胎组与多胎未减胎组比较,早产率、剖宫产率及低体重儿出生率降低(P0.05),分娩孕周延长(P0.05),新生儿出生体重增加(P0.05)。单胎妊娠组与减胎后单胎组患者的年龄、流产率、早产率、剖宫产率、分娩孕周、新生儿出生体重及低体重儿出生率等比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:多胎妊娠孕早期实施选择性经阴道减胎术,仅保留一个胎儿,可有效降低母婴早产及剖宫产导致的风险,从而改善临床结局。     

多胎妊娠妇女孕中期选择性减胎术的临床应用

目的 通过对多胎妊娠妇女于孕中期行选择性减胎术,研究其手术指症、时机、安全性、目标胎儿的选择标准和减灭胎儿数,探讨选择性减胎术在改善多胎妊娠结局中的作用.方法 对37例孕12周+1～25周多胎妊娠孕妇(6例双胎、21例三胎、8例四胎、2例五胎,共117个胎儿)在超声引导下经腹行选择性减胎术,按产科医疗指征,在拟被减的46个胎儿心脏内注射10%氯化钾2～5 ml,见胎心逐渐减慢至停跳视为减胎术成功.术后定期产前检查和监测凝血功能,记录妊娠期并发症及妊娠结局.结果 (1)成功率:共减去胎儿46个,减胎成功率为100%(46/46个胎儿),已有27例孕妇分娩,获24个健康新生儿,妊娠成功率为88.9%(24/27).(2)分娩孕周:＞36周分娩者15例;32～36周7例;28～32周3例;＜28周流产者2例;正在妊娠中10例.平均分娩孕周(34.9±4.1)周,孕28周后分娩率为92.6%(25/27).(3)新生儿平均出生体重:单胎妊娠新生儿平均出生体重为(3014±640)g,双胎妊娠为(2557±573)g,三胎妊娠中除1例两个胎儿存活(出生体重分别为1400及1500 g)外,其余均死亡.(4)安全性:除2例单羊膜囊双胎在减灭1个胎儿后,另1个胎儿随即死亡外,其余多胎妊娠妇女的保留胎儿均未发生胎死宫内.(5)并发症:37例多胎妊娠妇女中仅3例发生子痫前期,减胎术后均无凝血功能障碍发生.(6)阴道流血:有13例孕妇减胎术前发生阴道流血,其中1例在妊娠13周强烈要求减胎,减胎术后于孕22周流产;另12例均在阴道流血停止1周以上后施行减胎.结论 (1)孕中期选择性多胎妊娠减胎术,可以有效减少多胎妊娠胎儿数目、避免异常胎儿出生,降低孕产妇并发症,提高新生儿出生体重.(2)胎儿保留数目以达双胎为好.(3)减胎术前有阴道流血者,避免在流血期间减胎,应选择在流血停止1周以上进行.(4)孕中期多胎妊娠减胎术不会造成孕妇的凝血功能障碍,也不会造成保留胎儿的宫内死亡,安全性好;减胎术后子痫前期的发病率明显下降.     

体外受精-胚胎移植术后双胎之一手术减胎或自然减胎对妊娠结局的影响林

目的:探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)治疗中，双胎妊娠实施早期选择性减胎术或胎儿发生自然减胎后对改善妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性分析2011年11月至2021年12月在厦门大学附属妇女儿童医院生殖医学科接受常规IVF-ET或卵胞浆内单精子显微注射-胚胎移植(ICSI-ET)的新鲜及冻融胚胎移植获单胎或双胎妊娠的患者共6535个周期(6535例)的临床资料，采用倾向性评分匹配(PSM)方法(1∶4)纳入研究对象，其中，手术减胎组与初始单胎组分别纳入128个周期和510个周期，自然减胎组与初始单胎组分别纳入511个周期和2038个周期。比较各组的妊娠结局指标。结果:PSM后手术减胎组及自然减胎组的移植胚胎数多于初始单胎组，分娩孕周早于初始单胎组，新生儿出生体质量低于初始单胎组，早产率、低出生体质量儿占比高于初始单胎组，差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。手术减胎组及自然减胎组的妊娠并发症(产后出血、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠期高血压疾病)发生率、剖宫产率与初始单胎组比较，差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。流产率及新生儿出生缺陷率因PSM模型调整后数据缺失，按调整前计算，手术减胎组及自然减胎组的早期流产率均低于初始单胎组(P<0.05),自然减胎组晚期流产率低于初始单胎组(P<0.05);手术减胎组及自然减胎组的活产率高于初始单胎组(P<0.05);手术减胎组及自然减胎组的新生儿出生缺陷率与初始单胎组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:辅助生殖技术(ART)助孕所致的多胎妊娠者，即使在孕早期实施减胎手术或发生自然减胎后对孕妇妊娠结局的影响有限，但早产率和低出生体质量儿出生率增加；减胎并不能完全逆转妊娠结局，限制移植胚胎数目才是解决ART助孕妊娠不良结局的根本办法。     

胚芽抽吸法减胎术122例临床分析

目的:探讨孕早期多胎妊娠经阴道行胚芽抽吸法减胎术的可靠性、安全性及其对妊娠结局的影响。方法:对辅助生殖技术程序中的122例多胎妊娠患者,于孕早期采用胚芽抽吸法行减胎术。结果:一次性手术成功率为99.2%,总流产率11.5%,平均分娩孕周37.4周,新生儿体重2550g,新生儿未见严重的体表及内脏畸形。结论:对于孕早期多胎妊娠,胚芽抽吸减胎技术确为一有效、安全、且操作相对简便的补救性治疗措施。     

经阴道途径与经腹部途径体外受精-胚胎移植多胎妊娠减胎术后妊娠结局的分析

目的比较体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)多胎妊娠在早孕早期(6~8孕周)经阴道减胎与早孕晚期(11~13+6孕周)经腹部减胎术后的妊娠结局,探讨多胎妊娠合适的减胎时机。方法 2014年1月—2016年12月期间于本院经超声波诊断的多胎妊娠拟行减胎手术患者,6~8孕周经阴道减胎组110例,11~13孕周经腹部减胎组78例,比较两组间早产率、流产率、低出生体质量率、胎儿体质量、孕周等。结果比较流产率、低出生体质量率、流产孕周、分娩孕周、平均胎儿体质量组间均无统计学差异。与经腹减胎组(5.13%,6.12%)比较,经阴道减胎组34~37孕周早产率明显升高(17.27%)、减胎个数分层显示6~8孕周双胎减一胎后早产率升高(19.40%)。结论与11~13+6孕周经腹部减胎比较,6~8孕周经阴道减胎组34~37孕周的早产率升高、双胎减一胎后的总体早产率升高。     

多胎妊娠孕中期减至双胎与初始双胎妊娠的妊娠结局比较

目的 探讨多胎妊娠孕妇孕中期行减胎术减至双胎后与初始双胎孕妇的妊娠结局比较.方法 选择2007年8月至2010年9月在山东大学附属省立医院妇产科门诊或住院、多胎妊娠孕妇567例,其中双胎妊娠孕妇478例为非减胎组;妊娠12周以后在本院实施孕中期减胎术(在超声引导下经腹的胎心内氯化钾注射法),由初始多胎减至双胎的孕妇89例为减胎组.减胎组孕妇中,初始三胎70例,初始四胎13例,初始五胎及以上6例.观察两组孕妇年龄、分娩孕周、妊娠并发症、新生儿出生体质量及新生儿结局.结果 (1)两组孕妇年龄及分娩孕周:非减胎组与减胎组孕妇平均年龄分别为(29.7±4.5)和(29.9±5.0)岁,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.755).非减胎组与减胎组孕妇平均分娩孕周分别为(35.3±3.9)和(34.4±6.3)周,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).分娩孕周＜28周者(即流产)在非减胎组发生率为6.3％( 30/478),在减胎组为15.7％( 14/89),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002).(2)两组妊娠并发症:子痫前期发生率在非减胎组及减胎组分别为8.2％ (39/478)和12.4％(11/89),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.199);妊娠期糖尿病发生率在非减胎组及减胎组分别为1.7％(8/478)和3.4％( 3/89),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P =0.287).(3)两组新生儿情况:①非减胎组两个胎儿出生体质量差值＞400g的发生率为28.9％(138/478),减胎组为27.0％ (24/89),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.715).非减胎组两个胎儿出生体质量差值＞100g的发生率为75.1％(359/478),减胎组为75.3％(67/89),两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P =0.972).②非减胎组新生儿平均出生体质量为(2700 ±468)g,明显高于减胎组的(2352 ±602)g,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).非减胎组＞孕36周+1 分娩的新生儿平均出生体质量为(2809 ±424)g,减胎组为(2707±506)g,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).③减胎组及非减胎组＞28孕周分娩新生儿的死亡率分别为1.3％( 1/78)和2.2％( 10/448);减胎组及非减胎组新生儿患病率分别为3.8％ (3/78)和4.0％ (18/448),两组＞28孕周分娩的新生儿死亡率及患病率分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P =0.588、0.943).结论 多胎妊娠减胎至双胎的妊娠结局较初始双胎者差,其流产率较高;多胎妊娠减胎后分娩孕周受初始胎儿数的影响,新生儿出生体重质量低于初始双胎.     

早孕期阴道B超引导下胚胎抽吸术的临床应用

目的 :总结早孕期多胎妊娠减胎术 ( MPR)的经验及对妊娠结局的影响。方法 :经辅助生殖技术受孕的 1 0例多胎妊娠患者接受了阴道 B超引导下胚胎抽吸术。结果 :共减灭 1 2个早孕期胚胎 ,减胎孕龄平均为 7.6± 0 .5周 ,消减每孕囊时间平均为 4.9± 2 .6min。4例 (包括 2例早产 )共分娩了 7个新生儿 ( 1例单胎 )。分娩孕周为 37.4± 2 .2周 ,出生体重为 2 72 0± 5 63.6g。无流产和新生儿死亡 ;其余 6例 (双胎 )继续妊娠 ,胎儿宫内发育良好。结论 :早孕期阴道 B超引导下胚胎抽吸术是改善多胎妊娠结局的有效方法。     

三胎妊娠早孕期减胎术后的围生结局分析

目的:探讨三胎妊娠早孕期选择性氯化钾减胎术后与未减胎单胎或双胎妊娠的围生结局差异。方法:收集广州医科大学附属第三医院2012年1月至2017年10月诊治的181例三胎妊娠孕妇早孕期行胎儿心内注射氯化钾减胎术(减至单胎组103例,减至双胎组78例)和未减胎单胎妊娠、双胎妊娠(未减胎单胎组58例,未减胎双胎组54例)的临床信息,并对比分析围生结局差异。结果:减至单胎组分别与减至双胎组和未减胎单胎组相比,其流产率(16.50%、3.85%、1.72%)和早产率(16.50%、55.13%、3.45%)、分娩孕周(37.37±0.26周、34.60±0.29周、39.05±0.20周)及新生儿出生体质量(2.71±0.06 kg、2.12±0.54 kg、3.07±0.07 kg)比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。减至双胎组与未减胎双胎组比较,其早产率(55.13%、35.19%)、分娩孕周(34.60±0.29周、36.04±0.27周)及新生儿出生体质量(2.12±0.54 kg、2.37±0.07 kg),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:尽管减胎术增加了孕妇早产率,但通过选择性减胎控制胎儿的数量来降低孕产期并发症仍是必要的。综合考虑流产率、早产率和胎儿发病风险,保留单胎可能更有利于胎儿围生结局和远期健康结局。     

体外受精-胚胎移植中多胎减胎后双胎妊娠结局的分析

目的:探讨IVF-ET中多胎妊娠减胎术对双胎妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性地分析IVF-ET治疗后直接双胎妊娠124例(A组)和IVF多胎妊娠减为双胎妊娠43例(B组),比较二组孕期流产率、早产率、胎儿出生体重、胎儿畸形率、新生儿死亡率、胎盘粘连和产后出血等。结果:早期流产率A组8.1%,B组25.6%;晚期流产率A组16.9%,B组9.3%;总流产率A组25%,B组34.9%;A、B组间流产率有显著差异(P<0.01)。A、B组平均孕周(36.6±2.2周vs36.0±2.9周)、第一胎胎儿出生体重(2678.0±510.3gvs2542.5±454.8g)和第二胎胎儿出生体重(2393.4±496.8gvs2297.5±501.0g)间无统计学差异;A、B组间在母体并发症发生率、胎儿畸形率、新生儿死亡率之间也无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:IVF-ET中多胎减为双胎妊娠与IVF-ET中直接双胎妊娠相比,早期流产率明显增加。     

Pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes in multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins compared with nonreduced twin pregnancies.

Our objective was to compare the pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes of multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins to those in twin pregnancies without multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR). A cohort study was performed in patients with dichorionic twin pregnancies who reached 24 weeks' gestation and delivered at the Mount Sinai Medical Center between 1986 and 1997. A study population of 77 multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins were compared with 140 dichorionic twin pregnancies without MPR regarding pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square and two-tailed Student's t-tests. Multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins were similar to nonreduced twins in all parameters studied except the cesarean section rate and neonatal polycythemia. Increased cesarean section rate in MPR group was attributed to elective indications. Pregnancy-induced hypertension was found to be higher only in a subgroup of patients (i.e., 4-2). Multifetal pregnancies reduced to twins do not differ from the twin pregnancies without MPR in the overwhelming majority of pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes.     

辅助生殖技术妊娠后异常时限分娩相关因素分析

目的:探讨辅助生殖技术(ART)助孕妊娠后发生异常时限分娩的相关因素。方法:回顾分析2000年1月～2009年3月我院ART术后妊娠并在产科分娩或者保胎失败晚期流产妇女659例的临床资料,根据分娩孕周分为晚期流产组、早产组和足月组,分析异常时限分娩的有关因素。结果:ART后晚期流产和早产的相关因素有宫颈操作次数、胎膜早破以及双胎妊娠,选择性减胎术亦可增加晚期流产的危险。结论:多胎妊娠和宫颈机能不全是导致ART后中晚期妊娠异常时限分娩的重要原因。在辅助生殖技术中要减少多胎妊娠的发生,诊治不孕过程中注意宫颈机能的保护,有多次宫颈操作史者,妊娠后应严密监测,必要时行宫颈环扎术。     

Midtrimester maternal serum inhibin A levels after multifetal pregnancy reduction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the maternal serum inhibin A concentrations and the number of fetuses. Further, the maternal serum inhibin A levels for twin pregnancies and multiple pregnancies reduced to twins in the second trimester were compared. METHODS: Three groups of women with pregnancies following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were recruited for this study. Groups 1, 2 and 3 included 20 singleton pregnancies, 37 twin pregnancies, and 35 multifetal pregnancies, respectively. In group 3, multifetal reduction was performed during 10-12 weeks of gestation. Blood samples were obtained longitudinally at 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th week of gestation. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the number of fetuses and maternal plasma inhibin A prior to multifetal reduction. The inhibin A levels were not significantly different between twin and multifetal reduced twin pregnancies at 15th and 18th weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: In multifetal reduction to twin pregnancies, the maternal serum levels of inhibin A decrease to the level of twin pregnancies during the second trimester. Therefore, inhibin A may be effectively used as a marker for Down syndrome screening in cases of twin pregnancy following multifetal reduction.     

辅助生殖技术受孕单绒毛膜双羊膜囊双胎妊娠特殊并发症的分析

目的:探讨辅助生殖技术(ART)受孕单绒毛膜双羊膜囊(MCDA)双胎妊娠特殊并发症及胎儿的结构异常发生情况。方法:回顾性分析2010.06~2013.09期间由ART受孕在本院产检及分娩的44例MCDA双胎妊娠患者的临床资料(ART受孕组),分析MCDA双胎的特殊并发症及胎儿结构异常,并与同期的自然受孕的MCDA双胎组(自然受孕组,n=360)进行比较。结果:ART受孕组母体平均年龄及BMI均较自然受孕组明显增高(P0.01),组间初产妇比例无统计学差异(P0.05)。MCDA双胎妊娠中双胎输血综合征(TTTS)81例,占20.0%;选择性宫内生长受限(sIUGR)47例,占11.6%,双胎反向动脉灌注序列(TRAPS)10例,占2.5%;胎儿结构异常25例,占6.2%。ART受孕组与自然受孕组MCDA双胎特殊并发症及胎儿结构异常的发生风险无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:ART受孕对MCDA双胎妊娠特殊并发症及胎儿结构异常的发生无明显影响。     

Delayed delivery of second twin: a multicentre study of 35 cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a statistical analysis to determine the outcome of conservative treatment after delivery of a first fetus in multiple pregnancy and thus define new prognostic factors. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective study involving 12 centers over a 10-year period. RESULTS: Twenty-eight twin pregnancies and seven triplet pregnancies which were managed conservatively. In twin pregnancies, 79% of the delayed-delivery fetuses survived; only 7% of the first delivered fetuses survived. The mean interval between deliveries was 47 days. No statistical difference was found concerning cerclage, antibiotic therapy, tocolysis and hospitalization. Earlier delivery of the first twin and premature rupture of membranes for the second twin were significantly related to a longer interval between deliveries. CONCLUSION: Delayed delivery in multifetal pregnancies can be successful if there are no contraindications and these pregnancies are managed in a tertiary perinatal center. Publications limited to successful cases have undoubtedly introduced some bias in assessment.     

减胎术联合宫颈环扎术治疗多胎妊娠并宫颈机能不全2例临床分析

多胎妊娠、宫颈机能不全等均是流产或早产的高危因素,若多胎妊娠患者合并宫颈机能不全则流产或早产的风险更高。现报道2例多胎妊娠合并宫颈机能不全患者,分别在孕11+5周和20+5周行减胎术,随后分别在13+4周和21+6周行宫颈环扎术,定期产检阴道超声监测宫颈长度并及时预防早产治疗,分别在孕36周和孕33+4周成功顺产活婴,认为减胎术是多胎妊娠改善妊娠结局的补救措施,减胎术后行宫颈环扎术可修复宫颈的机能,而定期随访对防治早产、指导临床用药及适时拆除宫颈环扎线并改善母儿预后至关重要。当多胎妊娠合并宫颈机能不全时,采用减胎术联合宫颈环扎术进行治疗是一个可供临床借鉴的选择方案。     

Pregnancy outcome after multifetal pregnancy reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) as a means to reduce the adverse outcome of multiple gestations. METHODS: This was a retrospective study evaluating the outcome of 334 multiple pregnancies after embryo reduction. RESULTS: In 313 multiple pregnancies in which MFPR was performed before 15 weeks, the rates of miscarriage, preterm delivery <33 weeks, preterm delivery <36 weeks and total fetal loss were 9.12%, 13.33%, 38.60% and 16.25%, respectively, and median gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks. There was a significant correlation between miscarriage and the finishing number of fetuses. In 185 triplets reduced to twins, miscarriage, preterm delivery <33 weeks, preterm delivery <36 weeks and total fetal loss occurred in 8.25%, 11.18%, 40.59% and 15.41% of cases, respectively, and median gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks. In the subgroup of 32 reduced triplet pregnancies that also had second-trimester amniocentesis, the risk of miscarriage (3.13%) was not significantly different from that in the rest of the group. Among 21 twin pregnancies that had selective termination at or after 15 weeks, the risk of preterm delivery <33 weeks was three times higher than in the group of 22 twin pregnancies with first-trimester procedures. CONCLUSION: MFPR resulted in at least one live neonate in 83.75% of cases and was effective in reducing the risks of pregnancy loss and severe prematurity in quadruplets and higher-order pregnancies. The risk of miscarriage increased with increasing finishing number of fetuses. In reduced triplets gestation was prolonged in comparison with average figures reported in the literature. In twin pregnancies selective termination in the first trimester carries a lower risk of severe preterm delivery and this emphasizes the need for first-trimester diagnosis.     

Cervical length after multifetal pregnancy reduction in remaining twin gestations.

OBJECTIVE: Multifetal pregnancy reduction is associated with an increased risk of prematurity. Because cervical length correlates with preterm delivery risk, we sought to determine whether multifetal pregnancy reduction twin gestations are associated with shorter cervical lengths compared with non-multifetal pregnancy reduction twins. STUDY DESIGN: We compared an historic cohort of patients who underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction to twins (n = 35) to a control group of twin gestations without multifetal pregnancy reduction (n = 83) from July 1996 to January 2000. Both groups of patients were treated with identical protocols. Cervical lengths across gestation and pregnancy outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Study and control groups did not differ significantly in mean maternal age (37.8 +/- 4.9 years vs 35.5 +/- 6.2 years; P =.06), median parity (0 [range, 0-1] vs 0 [range, 0-2]; P =.56), or mean gestational age at delivery (36.2 +/- 2.6 weeks vs 35.8 +/- 3.8 weeks; P =.50). The proportion delivering before 35 weeks of gestation was not significantly different (14.3% vs 30.1%; P =.10) nor was delivery before 32 weeks of gestation (8.6% vs 8.4%; P =.98). Cervical length did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. At 14 to 19 weeks the median was 3.9 cm (range, 2.4-6.0 cm) in the multifetal pregnancy reduction group versus 3.7 cm (range, 3.1-4.7 cm) in the control subjects (P =.15); at 20 to 25 weeks, the medians were 3.2 cm (range, 2.2-5.4 cm) and 3.7 cm (range, 1.5-5.7 cm), respectively (P =.43); and at 26 to 31 weeks the medians were 3.5 cm (range, 1.2-5.9 cm) versus 3.8 cm (range, 1.2-5.3 cm), respectively (P =.56). CONCLUSION: Cervical length across gestation in twin pregnancies is not affected by multifetal pregnancy reduction, despite the likely inflammatory response expected to accompany this procedure.