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Spontaneous fetal reduction and early pregnancy complications in multiple pregnancies following in vitro fertilization
Author(s) -
Oloyede Olufemi A.,
Iketubosin Faye,
Bamgbopa Kehinde
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.05.021
Subject(s) - medicine , abortion , obstetrics , pregnancy , in vitro fertilisation , gestation , spontaneous conception , incidence (geometry) , placentation , gynecology , fetus , placenta , genetics , physics , optics , biology
Objective To determine the incidence of spontaneous pregnancy reduction and early pregnancy complications among multiple pregnancies conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods Spontaneous pregnancy reduction was assessed among multiple pregnancies conceived after IVF treatment in a private assisted reproduction center in Lagos, Nigeria, between January 2008, and June 2011. The pregnancies were diagnosed at 6–8 weeks of gestation by ultrasound scan, which was repeated at 11–14 weeks to determine the incidence of spontaneous reduction. Results The incidence of multiple pregnancies was 35.2%. There were 11 (20.0%) twin, 6 triplet (10.5%), and 2 quintuplet (3.6%) pregnancies. Spontaneous reduction occurred in 9 (47.7%) of these pregnancies, including 15.8% of twins, 21% of triplets, and 10.5% of quintuplets. Spontaneous reduction was significant among triplets and quintuplets ( P < 0.05). Six women (31.5%) older than 36 years had spontaneous reduction ( P < 0.05). Vaginal bleeding occurred in 3 (15.5%) women, 2 (66.7%) of whom had spontaneous abortion. In all instances of monochorionic placentation, spontaneous reduction resulted in spontaneous abortion. Conclusion The incidence of spontaneous reduction among multiple pregnancies conceived after IVF was high. Vaginal bleeding was a warning sign of eventual abortion. Early pregnancy complications were fewer among pregnancies with dichorionic and trichorionic placentation.