A series of fetal reductions and their outcomes at a tertiary care center in North Karnataka: Fetal reduction series: A boon?

Fetal reduction is a novel method that aims to reduce a higher-order gestation to lower-order pregnancy to reduce both maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. One of the methods of fetal reduction is by intracardiac injection of KCl under ultrasound guidance. Here, we present a case series ofeight women who had undergone fetal reduction. All of them were trichorionic triamniotic triplets at the time of reduction. In seven women, the reduction was done to twin gestation, whereas one reduction was to singleton pregnancy. Out of eight cases, only one carried to full term and underwent vaginal delivery. One case was lost to follow-up and 2 women underwent expulsion. A total of nine live births were reported with 8 babies going to the neonatal intensive care unit for low birth weight and preterm care. Fetal reduction is an important method that needs to be widely practiced and reported to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in multifetal gestation.

Effect of timing of multiple pregnancy reduction with ultrasound-guidance on abortion rate: a cohort study / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between different gestational weeks of transvaginal ultrasound-guided fetal reduction and abortion in patients with multiple pregnancies after embryo transfer, and to seek the best gestational age for fetal reduction.Methods:The datas of 486 pregnant women with multiple pregnancies after embryo transfer in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2012 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between gestational weeks of fetal reduction and abortion rate was analyzed by curve fitting, threshold effect and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:After adjusting for age, infertility type, infertility years, number of births, abortion times, body mass index(BMI), various infertility and sterility factors, endometrial thickness on the day of transformation, monozygotic twins and reduction methods, when the gestational age was less than 8.43 weeks, the abortion rate increased significantly with the increase of reduction gestational age, and the abortion rate increased by 221% ( OR=3.21, 95% CI=1.47-6.99, P=0.003 3). When the gestational age of reduction ≥8.43 weeks, the abortion rate tended to be stable and did not increase ( OR=0.81, 95% CI=0.54-1.22, P=0.317 7); meanwhile, in stratified analysis, the OR value of the BMI ≥24 kg/m 2 was 12.38, and that of BMI <24kg/m 2 was 1.91, P=0.053 9. Conclusions:There is a non-linear relationship between gestational age and abortion rate of ultrasound-guided multiple pregnancy reduction in patients with embryo transfer. The abortion rate increases significantly with the increase of gestational age before 8.43 weeks of gestation. It is recommended to carry out the operation as early as possible before 8 weeks of pregnancy. The effect of BMI on the abortion rate of patients with fetal reduction needs further study.

Triplet pregnancies: perinatal outcome evolution / Evolução dos resultados perinatais em gestações triplas

PURPOSE: To evaluate the obstetric and perinatal outcomes evolution of triplet pregnancies. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in triplet pregnancies delivered over 16 years in a tertiary obstetric center with differentiated perinatal support. Evaluation of demographic factors, obstetric complications, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight and immediate newborn outcome were done over a 16 years period. A global characterization of the sample was performed considering the listed parameters. Variables were categorized in three groups according to year of occurrence: 1996-2000, 2001-2006, 2007-2011, and all parameters were compared. RESULTS: Of the 33 triplets included, 72.7% resulted from induced pregnancies. All except one patient received prenatal corticosteroids and five received tocolytics. All women delivered prenatally and no significant differences were seen in the mean gestational age at delivery or birth weight towards time. There were three intrauterine fetal deaths. Neonatal immediate outcomes were not significantly different over the years. CONCLUSION: Despite remarkable progresses in perinatal and neonatal cares, no noticeable impact in triplet gestations' outcomes was seen, sustaining that triplets should be avoided due to their great risk of prematurity and neonatal morbidities, either by limiting the numbers of embryos transferred or by fetal reduction. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a evolução obstétrica e os resultados perinatais das gestações triplas. MÉTODOS: Um estudo observacional prospectivo foi realizado em gestações triplas durante 16 anos num centro obstétrico terciário com apoio perinatal diferenciado. Foram realizadas avaliações dos fatores demográficos, de complicações obstétricas, da idade gestacional ao parto, do tipo de parto, peso do recém-nascido e resultado neonatal imediato por um período de 16 anos. A caracterização global da amostra foi realizada considerando os parâmetros listados. As variáveis ​​foram divididas em três grupos de acordo com o ano de ocorrência: 1996-2000, 2001-2006, 2007-2011, e todos os parâmetros foram comparados. RESULTADOS: Das 33 gestações triplas incluídas, 72,7% resultaram de gravidezes induzidas. Exceto uma paciente, todas receberam corticosteroides pré-natal e cinco efetuaram tocolíticos. Todas as mulheres tiveram um parto pré-termo e não se observaram diferenças significativas na idade gestacional média ao parto nem no peso ao nascer ao longo do tempo. Houve três óbitos fetais. Os resultados neonatais imediatos não foram significativamente diferentes ao longo dos anos. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar dos avanços notáveis ​​em cuidados perinatais e neonatais, nenhum impacto perceptível nos resultados de gestações triplas foi verificado. Essas gestações devem ser evitadas devido ao grande risco de prematuridade e morbilidade dos recém-nascidos, tanto por limitação do número de embriões transferidos como por redução fetal. .

What is the best treatment of heterotopic cervical pregnancies for a successful pregnancy outcome? / 대한생식의학회지

Heterotopic pregnancy is rare event and the risk is increased with assisted reproductive technology procedures. Heterotopic cervical pregnancy is even more unusual. We report a rare case of heterotopic cervical pregnancy that was managed successfully. A 36-year-old women who conceived by IVF-ICSI was diagnosed with heterotopic cervical pregnancy. She visited the emergency room with vaginal bleeding at 5 weeks of gestation and underwent careful intracervical gestational sac reduction with forceps under abdominal guidance the next day. The postoperative course was uneventful and with regular check-ups, the intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) progressed unremarkably through 41 weeks with delivery of a healthy newborn. We reviewed a total of 37 cases of heterotopic pregnancy that have been reported in the English language literature. There have been many attempts to eliminate the cervical embryo while preserving the IUP, and complete cervical evacuation is important in order to avoid infection, bleeding, and premature birth.

Successful Full-term Live Birth after Selective Fetal Reduction Procedure in Patient with Heterotopic Cornual Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Heterotopic pregnancy refers to the simultaneous occurrence of an ectopic gestation with an intrauterine one. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy in the general population is about 1 to 30,000 pregnancies, but it has been increased due to the rise in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pelvic surgery, intrauterine device (IUD), and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). However, an interstitial or cornual pregnancy accounts for only 2-4% of all tubal pregnancies and has been described only rarely in the setting of a heterotopic pregnancy. We have experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy with cornual pregnancy after IVF-ET which was successfully treated by selective fetal reduction (SFR) procedure while maintaining the viability of the intrauterine gestation. We presented with brief review of literatures.

Outcome of Twin Pregnancies after Selective Fetal Reduction / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of selective fetal reduction (SFR) and compare the outcome of twin pregnancy after SFR in multiple pregnancy induced by assisted reproductive technology (ART) with that of natural twin pregnancy. METHODS: From September 1995 to March 2002 in Ajou University Hospital, SFR was performed in 79 patients whose gestational sacs were more than 3. Of these 79 patients, 47 patents resulted in twin pregnancy after SFR. SFR was performed using transvaginal intracardiac KCl injection at gestational age of 6~9 weeks. Control group was composed of 264 patients with natural twin pregnancy, who delivered after intrauterine pregnancy at 24 weeks, from June 1994 through December 2002. We compared Obstetric and perinatal outcomes between SFR group and natural twin group. RESULTS: Among 47 patients with twin pregnancy after SFR, 2 spontaneous abortion were occurred at intrauterine pregnancy at 8 and 19 weeks. Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were available in 43 patients. Single intrauterine fetal death was occurred in 1 of 43 (2.3%) patients in SFR group. incidence of preterm labor, premature rupture of membrane, preeclampsia and placenta previa were similar, but gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was occurred more frequently in SFR group (3 (7.0%) vs 4 (1.5%), p=0.02). Mean gestational age, mean birth weight, incidence of discordancy, use of intubation and ventilation, incidence of fetal anomaly, low (<7) Apgar score and intrauterine growth restriction were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancy after SFR has the increased incidence for GDM but other obstetric and perinatal outcome was similar compared with natural twin pregnancy. So SFR is a safe and effective procedure, so we suggest SFR is needed in multifetal pregnancy more than triplet.

Fetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy: Ethical Dilemmas

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 yatrogenic 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.

Pregnancy Outcomes after Transvaginal Selective Fetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes after transvaginal selective fetal reduction(SFR) in multifetal pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal SFR using fetal intracardiac puncture with KCl injection and aspiration of amniotic fluid was performed in 58 multifetal pregnancies achieved after assisted reproductive technology(ART). After transvaginal SFR, 55 twin and 3 singleton pregnancies were evaluated and analyzed retrospectively with the medical records of mothers and babies. RESULTS: Of 58 cases, abortion within 4 weeks after SFR occurred in 1 case(1.7%). Miscarriage of all fetuses occurred in 8 cases(13.8%) from 4 weeks after SFR until 24 weeks of gestation. Perinatal death occurred in 8 newborns from 5 mothers due to extreme prematurity in 7 cases and anencephaly in 1 case. Take-home baby rate, that is, discharge with at least 1 healthy baby, was 77.6%(45/58). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal SFR is an acceptable and effective management option in the cases of excessive multifetal pregnancy after infertility treatment. The ultimate successful outcomes of reduced multifetal pregnancy may be enhanced by more extensive experience with SFR.

Transvaginal Selective Fetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy induced by Assisted Reproductive Technology / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of multifetal pregnancies has increased up to 30% as a result of the introduction of ovulation inducing agents for assisted reproductive teclmology(ART). An exttemely poor pognosis could be expected for viable pregnancies in multifetal gestation. So, to decrease the consequence of multiple pregnancies and prevent complications, especially premature baby irreversibly damaged, selective fetal reduction to the smaller number of fetuses should be considered in an early gestational period. METHODS: From May 1994 to Apr 1998, transvaginal selective fetal reduction in 13 pati including 9 triplet, 3 quadruplet and 1 quintuplet. Of the 13 patients, 4 were obtained by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination (COH with IUI), 6 were by IVF-ET, 2 wae by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with natural contact and 1 was by natural conception. Selective fetal reduction using intracardiac KC1 injection and aspiration of amniotic fluid carried out in 8-11 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: After procedures, 8 patients were remained as twin pregnancies, 5 patients as singleton pregnancies and 1 of the remaining twin embryos vanished after procedure. There have been 7 sets of twin delivery including 1 stillbirth and 3 singleton delivery. 1 cases are ongoing state. All of the singleton delivery were completed after 37 weeks of gestation. Of the twin delivery, 2 cases were delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, 2 cases in 35-37 weeks, and 3 cases before 35 weeks of gestation. Unfortunately, 1 stillbirth occurred in 20 weeks of gestation and 2 cases of singleton were aborted. As 3 losses(2 singleton, 1 twin) occurred, the delayed fetal loss rate in this selective fetal reduction was 25.0%(3/12). There was no fetal anomaly related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Selective fetal reduction in multifetal pregnancies is a rather safe procedure and it may improve the outcome of multiple pregnancies.

Transabdominal Selective Fetal Reduction in Multifetal Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Over the past 30 years, there has been an increase in the incidence of multifetal pregna-ncies, primarily because of the introduction of ovarian stimulants for ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology ( ART ) in infertile patients. It is well established that multifetal pregnancies are associated with an increased frequency of the maternal complications and gre-ater perinatal morbidity and mortyality. The adverse outcome of multifetal pregnancies is dire-ctly proportional to the number of fetuses, primarily as an consequence of prterm delivery. Re-duction in the number of fetuses in multifetal pregnancies has been proposed as a way to impr-ove the perinatal outcome in this situation. Therefore, selective fetal reduction ( SFR ) is sugges-ted as a therapeutic option for continuation of pregnancy with fetuses mature enough to survi-ve. In this paper, we report our infertility clinic experiences with 6 patients who carried mult- ifetal pregnancies including 1 quintuplet, 1 quadruplet, and 4 triplets. from January, 1991 to May, 1996, transabdominal SFR was accomplished by fetal intrathoracic KCl injection at 9~10 weeks of gestation. After the prcedure, 4 patients remained as twin pregnancies, and 2 patients as single pregnancy. There have been 3 sets of twin deliveries and the 2 sets of single delivery. One case was aborted. Two patients were delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, 2 patients were at 35 weeks, and 1 patient at 24 weeks. All babies have been healthy after birth in patients after 35 weeks gestation. There was no fetal anomaly related to the procedure in the 6 cases. We concluded that transabdominal SFR is a rather safe and useful procedure that may improve the outcome of multifetal pregnancies.