[Analysis of 55 cases of transvaginal multifetal pregnancy reduction].

OBJECTIVE

To report the outcomes of transvaginal ultrasound-guided multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) in early high-order multiple gestation.

METHODS

Fifty-five cases of high-order multiple pregnancy including 1 septuplet, 7 quintuplets, 16 quadruplets and 31 triplets resulted from either superovulation/intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, were treated by transvaginal ultrasound guided MFPR at 49 - 79 days of gestational age. Their outcomes and complications were reported.

RESULTS

Multifetal reduction were successfully done in 53 cases (96%). Miscarriage occurred in 8 patients (15%). Twenty-one cases (47%) were premature delivery and 24 patients underwent term delivery resulting in 87 infants. Five preterm infants died of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Among them none has malformation. Of the 82 live infants, 1 had hexadactyly and another arterial septum defect occurred. No organ injury, massive hemorrhage and infection occurred after MFPR.

CONCLUSIONS

MFPR during early pregnancy is a safe, effective, simple operation for the purpose of reducing perinatal and maternal complication.