Spontaneous Twin Pregnancies Versus Twin Pregnancies Conceived
with Assisted Reproductive Technologies*
Sanlı ERKAN, Pelin ÖCAL, İsmail CEPNİ, Barbaros ILIKKAN, Merve BARBAROS, Rıza MADAZLI
Istanbul-Turkey
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences between spontaneous and assisted reproductive technology (ART) conceived twin pregnancies in respects of gestational and neonatal outcomes.
STUDY DESIGN: The comparison was made between 52 twin pregnancies conceived by ART and 80 spontaneous twins, delivered between years 2002 and 2004. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS program, version 11.5.
RESULTS: Rates of nulliparity, preterm labor, incidence of caesarean section, hospitalization time and neonatal mortality were significantly higher in the ART group. ART itself was not a risk factor for specific pregnancy complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus and premature rupture of membranes. Gestational age at delivery, the birth weights of both the first and second twins were comparable between the groups.
CONCLUSION: ART conceived twin pregnancies pose the neonate to higher risks of complication related to morbidity and mortality than spontaneous twin pregnancies. Maternal morbidity rate was equal in both groups.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2006; 12:000-000)
Key Words: Twin pregnancy, Assisted reproductive technology, Perinatal mortality, Morbidity, Pregnancy outcomet
