Clinical outcomes of multifetal pregnancy reduction in trichorionic and dichorionic triplet pregnancies: A retrospective observational study

Objective

To observe the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of trichorionic triplet (TCT) and dichorionic triplet (DCT) pregnancies with or without multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR).

Quality of nuchal translucency measurements in multifetal pregnancies

Objective.?A prospective comparative study was conducted to investigate the effect of multifetal pregnancies on the quality of nuchal translucency measurements using an image scoring method.

Methods.?The study sample included 72 consecutive multiple gestations (164 fetuses) and 195 singleton gestations (control) matched for maternal age and fetal crown–rump length. Nuchal translucency ultrasound was performed similarly in singleton and multiple pregnancies. A single sonographer scored an elected ultrasound image of each fetus according to a nuchal translucency image scoring method and the mean image score was compared between the whole singleton and multiple gestation groups and between subgroups defined by fetal distance from the abdominal wall.

Results.?There was no significant difference in mean image score between the multiple and singleton gestation groups (6.60 ± 1.3 and 6.69 ± 1.5, respectively; p = 0.595). Within the multiple gestation group, there was a significant difference in mean score between fetuses positioned proximal to the abdominal wall (n = 72) (3.7 ± 1.1) and both the middle fetuses (6.2 ± 1.4; p < 0.01) and distal fetuses (5.7 ± 1.06; p < 0.008). There was no difference between the proximal fetuses and controls.

Conclusions.?The fetuses in multiple pregnancies that are located further from the abdominal wall have a poorer image score.     

"Watchful waiting" in ectopic pregnancies: a balance between reduced success rates and less methotrexate

Many cases of ectopic pregnancy will spontaneously resolve, so that "watchful waiting" and β-hCG follow-up will separate true viable ectopic pregnancies from spontaneously resolving ectopic pregnancies. Withholding methotrexate in patients with spontaneously resolving ectopic pregnancies and administering it in only true viable ectopic pregnancies will no doubt decrease published success rates for this therapy.     

辅助生殖技术(ART)助孕获得多胎妊娠行减胎术后妊娠结局观察

目的:探讨辅助生殖技术(ART)获得的多胎妊娠孕早期行经阴道减胎术的有效性和安全性。方法:以经ART助孕获得多胎妊娠行经阴道减胎术的患者123例为减胎组,根据减胎后保留的胎儿数分为双胎组(A组,n=90)和单胎组(B组,n=33)。另以同期经ART助孕获得单胎妊娠(C组,n=36)和双胎妊娠(D组,n=57)的患者为对照组。回顾性分析患者的妊娠结局及妊娠期并发症发生情况。结果:减胎组的减胎成功率为100.0%,妊娠成功率为91.9%。A组胎膜早破发生率、早产发生率、新生儿低出生体质量发生率、新生儿重症监护室(NICU)入住率均高于B组(P<0.05)。结论:多胎妊娠孕早期行经阴道减胎术安全、有效、可行。多胎妊娠实施减胎术中减为单胎更为安全。     

Association of multifetal gestation with obstetric and neonatal outcomes in gestational carrier pregnancies

ObjectiveMultifetal gestation is more frequent among gestational carrier pregnancies than non-surrogacy IVF pregnancies. We aimed to evaluate the association between multifetal gestation and obstetric and neonatal morbidity among gestational carrier pregnancies.MethodsPooled cross-sectional study of birth certificate data from gestational carrier pregnancies in Utah from 2009 to 2018. Our primary outcome was a composite of severe obstetric morbidity; secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery (CD), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth (PTB), and a neonatal morbidity composite. Logistic regression was utilized to compare odds of these outcomes between gestational carrier pregnancies with and without multifetal gestation.ResultsA total of 361 gestational carrier pregnancies resulted in the delivery of 435 neonates during the study period. Of these, 284 were singleton pregnancies, and 77 were multifetal, a multifetal gestation rate of 21.3%. Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ between singleton and multifetal gestations. Multifetal gestation was not associated with higher rates of severe obstetric morbidity (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34–10.39). Multifetal gestation was associated with increased odds of neonatal morbidity (OR 9.49, 95% CI 5.35–15.83); PTB < 37, 34, and 32 weeks (OR 21.88, 95% CI 11.64–41.12; OR 11.67, 95% CI 5.25–25.91; OR 8.79, 95% CI 3.41–22.68); and CD (OR 4.82, 95% CI 2.81–8.27).ConclusionSevere obstetric morbidity did not differ between singleton and multifetal gestations among gestational carrier pregnancies. However, multifetal gestation was associated with increased odds of neonatal morbidity, CD, and PTB. This information may be useful when counseling prospective gestational carriers and intended parents.     

多胎妊娠减胎术16例临床分析

目的研究多胎妊娠早期选择性减胎术的可行性、安全性及对妊娠的影响。方法2002年1月-2005年12月在我院生殖中心行体外受精-胚胎移植受孕的16例多胎妊娠（A组）孕早期在阴道B超引导下穿刺,采用氯化钾心腔内注射或单纯胚芽穿刺抽吸法行减胎术,并与同期进行体外受精-胚胎移植受孕的64例双胎妊娠（B组）相比较。结果16例减胎术均一次成功。其中3例流产,13例患者已分娩（其中早产5例）,24个新生儿平均孕周（37.2±1.4）周,出生体重（2660.0±417.5）g,均健康无畸形。B组64例患者中4例孕早期流产,3例孕晚期流产,57例（其中早产24例）分娩109个新生儿,其中2个重度窒息死亡,2个先天畸形,平均孕周（37.0±2.0）周,出生体重（2603.3±459.7）g。两组的流产率、活产率、早产率、平均孕周、平均出生体重等均无明显差别。结论在B超引导下,多胎妊娠早期减胎术是安全、有效治疗多胎妊娠的方法。     

医源性多胎妊娠原因与防治

医源性多胎妊娠（IMP）是指经医疗干预而获得的多胎妊娠。随着辅助生殖技术（ART）的发展,其发生率明显升高。IMP与控制性卵巢刺激的应用及向宫腔内移植多个胚胎有直接关系。多胎妊娠妇女各系统负担加重,妊娠期母儿并发症发生率高、病情重,减胎术是改善妊娠结局的主要手段。从根本上讲,IMP重在预防,应严格掌握超排卵治疗的指征、严格掌握排卵诱导药物的使用和控制移植胚胎数目。     

Perinatal outcome after multifetal reduction: A study of 12 cases

Objective

To study the perinatal outcome after fetal reduction in multiple gestations

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study of 12 patients who underwent fetal reduction for multiple gestations. The ultrasound-guided procedure was done transabdominally.

Results

Of the 12 patients who underwent fetal reduction, one had spontaneous abortion following the procedure while the other 11 delivered live babies.

Conclusion

Multiple gestations have an adverse neonatal outcome. By reducing the high-order pregnancies to twin gestations, the associated complications can be reduced. Ultrasound-guided fetal reduction is safe and effective method for reduction of multifetal gestations to twins or singleton, and improving the pregnancy outcome.     

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。     

Two successful pregnancies after conservative treatment of endometrial cancer and assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVE: To report successful pregnancies after conservative management of FIGO grade I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: University-based assisted reproduction and oncology units. PATIENT(S): One patient who had two separate pregnancies. Intervention(s): High-dose progestin (megestrol acetate) therapy for adenocarcinoma, followed by assisted reproduction with donor oocyte. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Histologic evaluation of endometrium after megestrol acetate and at completion of childbearing, and successful pregnancies and deliveries. RESULT(S): The patient had complete resolution of adenocarcinoma with progestin therapy and successful delivery of two pregnancies after assisted reproduction. CONCLUSION(S): Conservative management of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium allows preservation of childbearing.     

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology compared with twin pregnancies conceived spontaneously: a prospective follow-up study

Objective

To compare the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies conceived by assisted reproduction technology (ART) with spontaneously conceived (SC) twin pregnancies.

Study design

A prospective cohort study compared all dichorionic twin pregnancies in nulliparous women following fresh in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or ICSI cycles at Royan Institute (n = 320) with SC dichorionic twin pregnancies in nulliparous women at Arash Women's hospital (n = 170) from January 2008 to October 2010. These pregnancies were followed-up until hospital discharge following delivery. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of SC and ART twin pregnancies were compared.

Results

Multivariate analysis, adjusted for maternal age and body mass index, revealed that the obstetric outcomes were similar in both groups. However, the risks of very preterm birth [odds ratio (OR) 5.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–12.9], extremely low birth weight (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–3.9), admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.2) and perinatal mortality (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.0) were higher in the ART group.

Conclusions

The maternal outcomes of ART dichorionic twins were comparable with those of SC twins. However, despite the same obstetric management, the rates of very preterm birth, extremely low birth weight, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit and perinatal mortality were significantly higher in the ART group.     

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。     

Antepartum management of multifetal pregnancies

Correct antepartum management of multifetal gestations is a critical skill for practitioners of obstetrics. This article reviews important issues surrounding these complicated pregnancies while discussing current management options and recommendations. Topics include antepartum surveillance, preterm labor prediction, diagnosis, and management, and special situations unique to multiple gestations, such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome and death of one twin in utero. It is the authors' hope that this article is comprehensive in enhancing the reader's knowledge of these complex pregnancies.     

经阴道多胎妊娠胚胎减灭术55例临床分析

目的 分析在阴道B超引导下对早期高序多胎妊娠进行胚胎减灭术的可行性,安全性及对母儿的影响。方法 对55例经辅助生育技术受孕的早期（妊娠49－79d)多胎妊娠,在阴道B超引导下行胚胎减灭术,其中1例为7胎妊娠,7例为5胎妊娠,16例为4胎妊娠,31例为3胎妊娠。用减胎穿刺针的针尖直刺待减灭胎儿的胎心搏动（心搏）处,直至原始心搏消失,抽吸胚囊内容物,或在穿刺胚胎的同时向羊膜囊内注射生理盐水。结果 53例（96％）减胎成功,其中49例减为双胎,3例5胎减为3胎,1例7胎减为3胎,失败2例,均为4胎妊娠,其中1例为术中流产,1例为未减灭。术后流产8例（流产率15％）;早产21例,其中5名早产儿于出生后1－2d内死亡,未见畸形;足月分娩24例,共出生新生儿87名（包括42名早产儿）,82名新生儿存活,除1名为六指畸形,1名为房间隔缺损外,其余新生儿均健康,无畸形,无脏器损伤,血管损伤大出血及术后感染,发热等。结论 妊娠早期经阴道施行胚胎减灭术是一种定位准确,操作简单,易行,安全有效的手术。     

Intrapartum management of multifetal pregnancies

Over the past several decades advances in assisted-reproductive technologies have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of multifetal gestations. Concomitant with this increase there has been a gradual rise in the overall preterm birth rate, as well as other pregnancy complications related to these pregnancies. Twin, triplet, and other high-order multifetal gestation pregnancies pose a number of important issues related to antepartum and intrapartum management. Antepartum issues include ultrasound determination of zygosity, management and prevention of preterm labor, maternal/fetal surveillance for complications, and specific interventions focused on prevention of adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Intrapartum issues include those related to timing of delivery, labor management, anesthesia options, and determination of an optimal delivery modality. Clearly, these issues related to the management of multifetal pregnancies are of paramount importance to optimize pregnancy outcome. As many of the issues related to antepartum care for women with multifetal gestations have been reviewed elsewhere, we have restricted the focus of this article to intrapartum management. Thus, this article reviews salient issues related to the intrapartum management of multifetal gestations, including twins, triplets, and other high-order pregnancies.     

Perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated late preterm pregnancies with borderline oligohydramnios.

Methods: A total of 430 pregnant women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at a gestational age of 34?+?0–36?+?6 weeks were included. Borderline oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 5.1–8?cm, which was measured using the four-quadrant technique. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between the borderline and normal AFI groups.

Results: Approximately 107 of the 430 pregnant women were borderline AFI, and 323 were normal AFI. The demographic and obstetric characteristics were similar in both groups. Delivery <37 weeks, cesarean delivery for non-reassuring fetal heart-rate testing, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar 5?min <7, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal intensive care unit, and hyperbilirubinemia were not statistically different between the groups (p?=?.054, p?=?.134, p?=?.749, p?=?0.858, p?=?.703, p?=?.320, p?=?.185, and p?=?.996, respectively). Although gestational age was full-term, induction of labor rates were significantly higher in the borderline AFI group (p?=?.040). In addition, fetal renal artery pulsatility index pulsatility index (PI) was significantly lower in the borderline AFI group than in the normal AFI group (p?=?.014).

Conclusion: Our results indicated that borderline AFI was not a risk for adverse perinatal outcomes in uncomplicated, late preterm pregnancies.