The initial number of fetuses in multiple pregnancy before reduction affects perinatal outcomes

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies reduced by the fetal reduction (FR) procedure and cases with continuing DCDA twin pregnancies without FR.Materials and MethodsFR performed in a university hospital in the last 10 years was evaluated. Pregnancies reduced to DCDA twin pregnancies by reduction from three or more pregnancies and pregnancies that started with DCDA twins and continued with DCDA twins were compared in terms of perinatal outcomes. In the subgroup analysis, those who were reduced from three‐chorionic three‐amniotic (TCTA) triplets to DCDA twins and those who were reduced to DCDA twin pregnancies from four or more were compared in terms of perinatal outcomes.ResultsA total of 119 pregnant women were included in the study, 36 patients underwent FR, while 83 patients were DCDA twins who did not undergo FR. The groups were similar in terms of preterm delivery (p = 0.370). There was a higher rate of miscarriage (21.4% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.019) in the group that was reduced to DCDA twins from quadruplet and above pregnancies compared to the group that was reduced from TCTA triplets to DCDA twins. The gestational week at birth was lower in the group reduced to DCDA twins from quadruplets and above pregnancies (31.00 ± 4.31 vs. 34.64 ± 2.88, p = 0.019).ConclusionThe study's results show that the perinatal outcomes of multiple pregnancies with and without FR are the same As the number of reduced fetuses increases, the rates of preterm birth and miscarriage also increase.