Open AccessFetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy: Ethical Dilemmas
Author(s) -
Ivica Tadin,
Damir Roje,
Ivo Banović,
Deni Karelović,
Marko Mimica
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
yonsei medical journal/yonsei medical journal
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.702
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1976-2437
pISSN - 0513-5796
DOI - 10.3349/ymj.2002.43.2.252
Subject(s) - fetus , obstetrics , medicine , in vitro fertilisation , pregnancy , fertility , incidence (geometry) , embryo transfer , gynecology , biology , population , genetics , physics , environmental health , optics
As a result of the increased use of drugs that enhance fertility, and the advent of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer over the last 2 decades, the incidence of multifetal pregnancies has increased exponentially. In parallel with this increase methods of care for women carrying multiple fetuses have become more complex and well developed. Importantly, it has become obvious that in the case of such pregnancies the rates of mortality and morbidity of both fetuses and mothers, particularly in cases where four or more fetuses are involved, are extremely high. Improvements in the techniques of assisted fertilization should result in fewer iatrogenic multifetal pregnancies and a commensurate decrease in related risks. Fetal reduction seems to be an acceptable method of improving maternal and fetal outcome in high order multiple pregnancies despite the many unresolved medical and ethical dilemmas.