Perinatal and first year outcomes of spontaneous versus assisted twins: a single center experience.

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to compare naturally conceived twins with twins conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART) by means of perinatal outcome, behavioural patterns and psychomotor development.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Three hundred and five spontaneous and 119 assisted twins were compared in aspects of behavioural patterns, mental and psychomotor development, as well as maternal and gestational age, foetal presentation, birth weight, sex, Apgar scores, perinatal complications, delivery route, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

RESULTS

Although the maternal age was higher in assisted twins, the mean gestational age and birth weight of assisted twins were significantly less than those of spontaneous twins. The assisted twins did not differ from the naturally conceived twins in aspects of presentation, Apgar scores, admission to NICU and perinatal complications. However, caesarean section rate and the delivery rate of male foetuses were significantly higher in assisted twins. During the first year of life, retardation in mental and psychomotor development was more pronounced in assisted twins. Also assisted twins experienced behavioural problems and difficulties in parent-child interactions more frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

Although twins born to assisted pregnancies had significantly shorter duration of gestation and thus less birth weight, their perinatal outcome was similar to that of spontaneous twins. The mothers of assisted twins may be keener on getting intensive prenatal care, which might in turn help to diminish any possible maternal and foetal risks. However, assisted twins showed significantly retarded psychomotor and mental development and experienced problems with environmental factors more frequently during their first year.