Olufemi A Oloyede1, Faye Iketubosin, Kehinde Bamgbopa. 1. Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. oloyedeoao@yahoo.com
Abstract
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.
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.