All issues > Volume 46(3); 2003

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003;46(3):224-229. Published online March 15, 2003.

Maternal and Neonatal Outcome of Twin Pregnancies after in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Kyung-Ah KA Kim¹, Uoo-Gyung UG Min², Jae-Woo JW Lim², Nu-Lee NL Jun², Hye-Sung HS Won³, Chung-Hoon CH Kim³, Ellen Ai-Rhan ER Kim², Pil-Ryang PR Lee³, In-Sik IS Lee³, Ki-Soo KS Kim², Ahm A Kim³, Soo-Young SY Pi²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Jeil Hospital, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Seoul, Korea
³Division of Neonatology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Ellen Ai-Rhan ER Kim ,Email: arkim@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: To examine various neonatal outcomes and perinatal factors resulting from assisted reproduction compared to that of spontaneous conception.
Methods
: This is a retrospective study. The control cases were all twins of spontaneous conception born between periods from January 1995 to June 2000. The study cases were identified from twins conceived by assisted reproduction in the same time peried. A total of 460 sets of twins consisted of 250 twins of spontaneous conception and 156 twins of assisted reproduction were studied. The primary outcomes were neonatal morbidity and mortality and the secondary outcomes were perinatal factors including number, length and cost of hospitalization for the delivery.
Results
: No differences were seen in various neonatal factors including gestational age, birth weight and incidences of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, hyperbilirubinemia, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage and the length of hospitalizations. Lower one minute and five minute Apgar scores and frequently encountered electrolyte abnormalities were observed in neonates of assisted reproduction. In general, the second twin of assisted reproduction had increased incidences of respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis than the first twin. Increased frequencies of preterm labor, hospitalization and elective cesarean section were seen among mothers who underwent artifical conception. However, overall hospital costs in terms of mothers hospitalization for the delivery and neonates hospitalization did not show differences.
Conclusion
: Assisted reproduction twins had similar neonatal morbidities, mortalities and perinatal morbidities compared to those born by spontaneous conception.

Keywords :In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, Twin pregnancy, Neonatal outcome