USA: Multifetal pregnancy reduction

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR) procedures in 2000 cases and to evaluate evolving trends within the last 1000 MPRs. 

Two thousand patients who underwent MPR were identified. Data were collected from a computerized database. Comparisons were made between the first 1000 patients (group 1) and the second 1000 patients (group 2). In addition, changing trends within group 2 were also analysed. Differences in proportions were evaluated by chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate.

There was a significant difference in the starting and finishing number of fetuses and a significant increase in the use of chorionic villus sampling before MPR in group 2 vs group 1 (43.7% vs 1.5%; P < .0001). The incidence of monochorionicity was significantly higher in group 2 (5.7%), compared with group 1 (2.1%; P < .001).

The authors concluded that recent trends in MPR demonstrates significant increases in overall reductions to a singleton fetus, the use of chorionic villus sampling, and the presence of monochorionicity.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Evolving trends in 2000 cases of multifetal pregnancy reduction: a single-center experience. Stone J, Belogolovkin V, Matho A, Berkowitz RL, Moshier E, Eddleman K. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007 Oct;197(4):394.e1-4.