Obstetric and neonatal outcome of multifetal pregnancy reduction

Normal vaginal delivery at term after expectant management of heterotopic caesarean scar pregnancy: a case report

Background

Heterotopic pregnancy with a combination of a caesarean scar pregnancy and an intrauterine pregnancy is rare and has potentially life-threatening complications.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 27-year-old white woman who had experienced an emergency caesarean delivery at 39 weeks for fetal distress with no postpartum complications. This is a report of the successful expectant management of a heterotopic scar pregnancy. The gestational sac implanted into the scar area was non-viable. The woman was treated expectantly and had a normal vaginal delivery at 37 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion

Expectant management under close monitoring can be appropriate in small non-viable heterotopic caesarean scar pregnancies.

Outcomes of Multifetal Reduction: A Hospital-Based Study

Background

Higher-order multiple (HOM) pregnancies are associated with increased incidences of pregnancy complications mainly abortions, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery and fetal death. Multifetal reduction (MFR) during first trimester and subsequent delivery of twins can reduce pregnancy associated morbidities. This study was conducted to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of MFR procedure in patients with HOMs those managed in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods and Material

It was a prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care military hospital, India, and all women with higher-order multiples (triplets or more) conceived spontaneously or after infertility treatment (ovulation induction, intra-uterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization) during the 3-year period from Jan 2014 to Dec 2016 were included for MFR. Demographic and clinical data, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were tabulated.

Results

The study included 32 HOM pregnancies which underwent MFR. 16% patients had pre-eclampsia and 12% patients had gestational diabetes. The study had 2 pregnancy losses before 24 weeks period of gestation (POG). 70% patients underwent cesarean delivery with mean gestational age of 35.5 weeks. Average birth weight of newborn was 1820 gm and 80% of them required NICU admission.

Conclusion

Favorable pregnancy outcomes can be achieved after multifetal reductions during first trimester in higher-order multiples, but the procedure is not totally safe.