BMJ  2004;328 (31 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7434.0-d

Singletons but not twins are at risk after assisted conception

Singleton pregnancies after assisted reproduction have a worse perinatal outcome than non-assisted pregnancies, but in twins perinatal mortality is lower after assisted conception. Reviewing 25 studies comparing assisted and non-assisted pregnancies, Helmerhorst and colleagues (p 261) found that after assisted conception mortality was much higher in singleton pregnancies, but it was 40% lower in twin pregnancies. Assisted conception carried a higher risk of preterm deliveries and more risk of caesarean section and admission to neonatal intensive care, and 40% more infants were small for gestational age. A quarter century after the first birth of a baby conceived by in vitro fertilisation, the focus has to shift from how to achieve pregnancy to how to achieve a successful outcome, the authors say.

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Relevant Article

Perinatal outcome of singletons and twins after assisted conception: a systematic review of controlled studies

Frans M Helmerhorst, Denise A M Perquin, Diane Donker, and Marc J N C Keirse
BMJ 2004 328: 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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