Incidence and outcome of multiple pregnancy after in vitro fertilization.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the experience of IVF multiple pregnancies, in relation to the maternal morbidity and the neonatal morbidity and mortality. We considered 48 multiple pregnancies: 36 twins (group A), 8 triplets (group B), 2 quadruplets (group C), and 2 quintuplets (group D). The mean maternal age was 29.72 years and the mean gestational age was 36.83 weeks. Of the 36 patients with two babies, 20 (55.60%) had cesarean section, whereas 12 were delivered vaginally. All the triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets were delivered abdominally. Twenty-three cervical cerclage were placed. In group A 7 patients had premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), 2 had pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and 14 had premature labour. In group B 4 patients had premature labour, 3 hadPROM and 2 had PIH. In group C one patient had premature labour. In group D 2 patients had premature labour and one also PIH. Multiple pregnancies lead to a high incidence of antenatal complications and extensive neonatal morbidity which translate into prolonged and expensive hospitalization for the neonates.