Analysis of 104 twin pregnancies conceived with assisted reproductive technologies and 193 spontaneously conceived twin pregnancies

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy outcome of assisted reproductive technolog y (ART)-conceived twin pregnancies. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: A tertiary obstetric care center. Patient(s): All twin pregnancies delivered greater than or equal to 24 week s of gestation from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997, Intervention(s): Maternal and neonatal record review. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy and perinatal outcome. Result(s): The study group comprised 104 ART-conceived twin pregnancies, an d 193 non-ART-conceived pregnancies served as controls. Mean maternal age, the proportion of nulliparae, and the percentage of women who delivered bef ore 34 weeks' gestation was higher among the study women, whereas mean gest ational age was younger. The incidences of pregnancy-induced hypertension, uterine bleeding, premature contractions, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal death, discordance, and cesarean section were significantly higher in the study group. Correspondingly, in the study group, the mean birth weigh t of both twins was lower; more neonates weighed <1,500 g, more had Apgar s cores of <7 at 5 minutes, more were admitted to the intensive care unit, an d more second twin neonates died. The outcome of twin pregnancies conceived spontaneously was comparable with those conceived by ovulation induction. Conclusion(s): Assisted reproductive technology-conceived twin pregnancies are at greater risk than non-ART-conceived ones for pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcome. (Fertil Steril (R) 2000;74;683-9. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).