Selective reduction in cases of multiple fetuses is used more often
nowadays due to the increased number of multiple pregnancies resulting
from assisted reproduction. In this retrospective study, we investigated
whether twin pregnancies derived from fetal reduction carry a higher
obstetric and perinatal risk compared to standard twin pregnancies. We
found that the rate of miscarriage was 10.6% in the reduction group (n
= 158) compared to 9.5% in the controls (n = 135), Mean gestational age
at delivery was 35.7 weeks in the reduction group versus 35.1 weeks in
the control group, Mean neonatal weight at birth was 2.260 g (800-3.750
g) in the reduction group compared to 2.240 g (540-3.360 g) in controls.
Perinatal mortality rate was 49.3 parts per thousand after reduction and
42.0 parts per thousand in the control group. There was no statistically
significant difference in any of the above parameters. Therefore,
multifetal pregnancy reduction to twins does not appear to increase
obstetric or perinatal risks
