Sirpa Vilska1, Leila Unkila-Kallio. 1. Students' Health Service, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Töölönkatu 37 A, Helsinki, Finland. sirpa.vilska@fimnet.fi
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent knowledge on mental health of parents of twins conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART). RECENT FINDINGS: Mental health of mothers and fathers of twins conceived via ART is impaired when compared with that of ART singletons. SUMMARY: Existing studies are mainly cross-sectional and most of them focus on maternal mental health. It is evident that twin parenthood is the main factor impairing the mental health in parents with ART twins. This aspect should be taken into account when counseling the couples and deciding the number of embryos for transfer in ART. Well conducted prospective longitudinal studies are needed on both maternal and paternal mental health with twins conceived via ART from transition to parenthood to and beyond toddler age covering later life with school-aged and adolescent twins.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent knowledge on mental health of parents of twins conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART). RECENT FINDINGS: Mental health of mothers and fathers of twins conceived via ART is impaired when compared with that of ART singletons. SUMMARY: Existing studies are mainly cross-sectional and most of them focus on maternal mental health. It is evident that twin parenthood is the main factor impairing the mental health in parents with ART twins. This aspect should be taken into account when counseling the couples and deciding the number of embryos for transfer in ART. Well conducted prospective longitudinal studies are needed on both maternal and paternal mental health with twins conceived via ART from transition to parenthood to and beyond toddler age covering later life with school-aged and adolescent twins.