High-order multiple gestations

Quadruple term gestation of quadri-chorionic quadri-amniotic pregnancy after artificial insemination: a case report

Background

To solve infertility, modern science has promoted assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization, ovulation induction, and artificial insemination. Quadruple-type multiple pregnancies occur in 1 of every 500,000 pregnancies, and it is estimated that 90% occur due to assisted reproductive techniques, which often lead to numerous complications.

Case presentation

Here we present a case of a 33-year-old woman, who desired pregnancy, but had a history of primary infertility diagnosed by hysterosalpingography, and endometriosis, which was treated by fulguration and medical management. Concomitantly, the patient was anovulatory. To fulfill her wish, she underwent homologous artificial insemination, after treatment, she successfully conceived quadri-chorionic quadri-amniotic infants, who were born at 37.2 weeks, without perinatal or maternal complications.

Conclusion

This paper presented the parameters of prenatal care, appropriate management approach, and successful resolution without maternal–fetal complications despite the inherent risks of this type of pregnancy.

Infertility is a common reproductive system problem; modern science has promoted assisted reproduction techniques as an alternative for these cases. High-order pregnancies it is estimated to occur in 90% of the cases due to assisted reproductive techniques, which often lead to numerous complications. A 33-year-old woman, who desired pregnancy, but had a history of infertility underwent artificial insemination, conceiving successfully quadruplets without any perinatal or maternal complications. Knowledge of maternal history and proper management of assisted reproductive techniques in addition to adequate prenatal follow-up are necessary for a successful pregnancy.

Dizygotic Dichorionic Triamniotic Triplet Pregnancy Delivered at Full Term: An Out of Box Presentation of Triplet-A Case Report from Ethiopia

The incidence of triplet is raising several hundred percent due to wide availability of fertility therapies. It is associated with different perinatal and maternal complications. The average duration of gestation and birth weight for triplet are 32.5 weeks and 1735 grams (total weight of triplet set being about 5.2kg), respectively. However, it is not uncommon to find the rarest situations in obstetrics. Here we present a case of triplet set born from gravida 5 para 4 mother at full term (GA of 39 weeks and 3 days), dated from reliable last normal menstrual period (LNMP). Each triplet has weight comparable to average weight of singleton at term. Triplets A, B, and C weigh 2.8 kg, 3 kg, and 3.2 kg, respectively. The triplet set weigh 9 kg in aggregate. Surprisingly the neonates have no perinatal complication, but the mother developed postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony. All individual triplets are large for gestational age on adjusted fetal weight standard of triplet from singleton's growth curve. Such type of triplet outcome is unique in its presentation and has never been reported in scientific literature as to the knowledge of the authors. Thus, we can consider it as “an out of box presentation of triplet”. This initiates us to report the case.

Comparison of conventional 2D ultrasound to magnetic resonance imaging for prenatal estimation of birthweight in twin pregnancy

BACKGROUND

During prenatal follow-up of twin pregnancies, accurate identification of birthweight and birthweight discordance is important to identify the high-risk group and plan perinatal care. Unfortunately, prenatal evaluation of birthweight discordance by 2-dimensional ultrasound has been far from optimal.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to prospectively compare estimates of fetal weight based on 2-dimensional ultrasound (ultrasound-estimated fetal weight) and magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight) with actual birthweight in women carrying twin pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Written informed consent was obtained for this ethics committee-approved study. Between September 2011 and December 2015 and within 48 hours before delivery, ultrasound-estimated fetal weight and magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight were conducted in 66 fetuses deriving from twin pregnancies at 34.3-39.0 weeks; gestation. Magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight derived from manual measurement of fetal body volume. Comparison of magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight and ultrasound-estimated fetal weight measurements vs birthweight was performed by calculating parameters as described by Bland and Altman. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed for the prediction of small-for-gestational-age neonates using magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight and ultrasound-estimated fetal weight. For twins 1 and 2 separately, the relative error or percentage error was calculated as follows: (birthweight - ultrasound-estimated fetal weight (or magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight)/birthweight) × 100 (percentage). Furthermore, ultrasound-estimated fetal weight, magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight, and birthweight discordance were calculated as 100 × (larger estimated fetal weight-smaller estimated fetal weight)/larger estimated fetal weight. The ultrasound-estimated fetal weight discordance and the birthweight discordance were correlated using linear regression analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The same was done between the magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight and birthweight discordance. To compare data, the χ², McNemar test, Student t test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used as appropriate. We used the Fisher r-to-z transformation to compare correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

The bias and the 95% limits of agreement of ultrasound-estimated fetal weight are 2.99 (-19.17% to 25.15%) and magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight 0.63 (-9.41% to 10.67%). Limits of agreement were better between magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight and actual birthweight as compared with the ultrasound-estimated fetal weight. Of the 66 newborns, 27 (40.9%) were of weight of the 10th centile or less and 21 (31.8%) of the fifth centile or less. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for prediction of birthweight the 10th centile or less by prenatal ultrasound was 0.895 (P < .001; SE, 0.049), and by magnetic resonance imaging it was 0.946 (P < .001; SE, 0.024). Pairwise comparison of receiver-operating characteristic curves showed a significant difference between the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (difference, 0.087, P = .049; SE, 0.044). The relative error for ultrasound-estimated fetal weight was 6.8% and by magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight, 3.2% (P < .001). When using ultrasound-estimated fetal weight, 37.9% of fetuses (25 of 66) were estimated outside the range of ±10% of the actual birthweight, whereas this dropped to 6.1% (4 of 66) with magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight (P < .001). The ultrasound-estimated fetal weight discordance and the birthweight discordance correlated significantly following the linear equation: ultrasound-estimated fetal weight discordance = 0.03 + 0.91 × birthweight (r = 0.75; P < .001); however, the correlation was better with magnetic resonance imaging: magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight discordance = 0.02 + 0.81 × birthweight (r = 0.87; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

In twin pregnancies, magnetic resonance-estimated fetal weight performed immediately prior to delivery is more accurate and predicts small-for-gestational-age neonates significantly better than ultrasound-estimated fetal weight. Prediction of birthweight discordance is better with magnetic resonance imaging as compared with ultrasound.

Prospective risk of stillbirth and neonatal complications in twin pregnancies: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risks of stillbirth and neonatal complications by gestational age in uncomplicated monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases (until December 2015).

REVIEW METHODS

Databases were searched without language restrictions for studies of women with uncomplicated twin pregnancies that reported rates of stillbirth and neonatal outcomes at various gestational ages. Pregnancies with unclear chorionicity, monoamnionicity, and twin to twin transfusion syndrome were excluded. Meta-analyses of observational studies and cohorts nested within randomised studies were undertaken. Prospective risk of stillbirth was computed for each study at a given week of gestation and compared with the risk of neonatal death among deliveries in the same week. Gestational age specific differences in risk were estimated for stillbirths and neonatal deaths in monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies after 34 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

32 studies (29 685 dichorionic, 5486 monochorionic pregnancies) were included. In dichorionic twin pregnancies beyond 34 weeks (15 studies, 17 830 pregnancies), the prospective weekly risk of stillbirths from expectant management and the risk of neonatal death from delivery were balanced at 37 weeks' gestation (risk difference 1.2/1000, 95% confidence interval -1.3 to 3.6; I(2)=0%). Delay in delivery by a week (to 38 weeks) led to an additional 8.8 perinatal deaths per 1000 pregnancies (95% confidence interval 3.6 to 14.0/1000; I(2)=0%) compared with the previous week. In monochorionic pregnancies beyond 34 weeks (13 studies, 2149 pregnancies), there was a trend towards an increase in stillbirths compared with neonatal deaths after 36 weeks, with an additional 2.5 per 1000 perinatal deaths, which was not significant (-12.4 to 17.4/1000; I(2)=0%). The rates of neonatal morbidity showed a consistent reduction with increasing gestational age in monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was the commonest neonatal complication. The actual risk of stillbirth near term might be higher than reported estimates because of the policy of planned delivery in twin pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

To minimise perinatal deaths, in uncomplicated dichorionic twin pregnancies delivery should be considered at 37 weeks' gestation; in monochorionic pregnancies delivery should be considered at 36 weeks.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42014007538.

Single center experience in selective feticide in high-order multiple pregnancy: clinical and ethical issues

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes the 20-year experience with selective feticide (SF) of high-order multiple quadruplet and higher pregnancies in a single center.

METHODS

The paper describes protocols, procedures, management, outcomes, and ethical issues.

RESULTS

SF was performed in 49 pregnancies with 244 fetuses, with median gestational age of 12+2 weeks. The initial number was nine (one case), eight (one case), seven (three cases), six (11 cases), five (eight cases), and four (27 cases). Nuchal translucency was utilized prior to the procedure starting in 1996. The technique was transabdominal ultrasound-guided and intrathoracic injection of potassium chloride. One pregnancy (with seven fetuses) was reduced to three, 42 to two, and four (starting with four fetuses) to singletons. There were ten pregnancy losses (20.4%). A decreasing trend in losses was evident over the 20-year time period: 7/23 (30.4%) from 1994 to 2004 down to 3/26 (11.5%) for 2004-2014. No chromosomal abnormalities were present in any of the survivors. The ethical issues focus on the justification of SF in high-order multifetal pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

In this series, pregnancy loss decreased with operator experience. Excellent outcomes can be achieved with the ethically justified use of feticide in high-order multiple pregnancies.

Multiple pregnancies following assisted reproductive technologies--a happy consequence or double trouble?

The association between assisted reproduction technologies (ART) and multiple pregnancy is well-established, with a multiple birth rate of 24% in ART pregnancies. Multiple pregnancy is associated with significantly increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as increased costs to the National Health Service. Evidence relating to the obstetric outcomes of ART twins versus naturally conceived twins is discussed in this review. Methods to reduce the risk of multiple births including elective single embryo transfer and multifetal pregnancy reduction are also discussed.

Epidemiology: the changing face of preterm birth

Preterm birth, defined as a pregnancy ending at less than 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. The occurrence of preterm births rose steadily from 9.4% of all pregnancies in the United States in 1981 to 12.8% in 2006, before declining to 12.7% in 2007 and 12.3% in 2008. Most of the increase was attributable to increases in multiple gestations. Recent research has sought to understand this condition by evaluating its familial occurrence and both clinical and pathologic information to derive an etiologically homogeneous categorization.

One consequence of infertility treatment: multifetal pregnancy

This article discusses the issue of multifetal pregnancy as a result of fertility treatments. Pregnancies with multiple gestations are associated with serious infant and maternal health risks as well as psychological distress and significant financial consequences, and are a far too common consequence of infertility treatments such as assisted reproductive technology (ART) and ovulation induction drugs. Women with multifetal pregnancies are at a higher risk for multiple pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity/mortality as well as stress, depression, and anxiety disorders, especially when there is the threat of a loss of one or more fetuses. The rise in rates of multifetal gestation and the accompanying increased risk to both mother and fetuses have led the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology to develop guidelines to limit the number of transferred embryos during in vitro fertilization. Nurses who work with infertile women are in a position to educate them about the risks, benefits, and alternatives associated with ARTs and multifetal pregnancies, and should endeavor to learn as much as possible about this topic.

Maternal morbidity and infant death in twin vs triplet and quadruplet pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to calculate nationally representative, population-based estimates of maternal and neonatal risks in triplet and quadruplet pregnancies compared with twin pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

The study population included 316,696 twin, 12,193 triplet, and 778 quadruplet pregnancies from the 1995-2000 Matched Multiple Birth Data Set. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs estimated the risk of complications and were controlled for maternal age, race, parity, and smoking status.

RESULTS

Compared with mothers of twins, mothers of triplets and quadruplets were more likely to be diagnosed with preterm premature rupture of membranes (AORs, 1.53, 1.74, respectively), pregnancy-associated hypertension (AORs, 1.22, 1.27), and excessive bleeding (AORs, 1.50, 2.22), to require tocolysis (AORs, 2.85, 5.03), and to be delivered by cesarean (AORs, 6.55, 7.38) at < 29 weeks of gestation (AORs, 3.76, 7.96), and to have > or = 1 infants die (AORs, 3.02, 4.07).

CONCLUSION

Triplet and quadruplet pregnancies have significantly higher risks than twin pregnancies for most maternal and neonatal complications. Maternal anthropometric, nutritional, and previous reproductive factors may be particularly important in the reduction of these excess risks and improvement of outcomes in multiple births.

Comparison of Infant Head Shape Changes in Deformational Plagiocephaly Following Treatment With a Cranial Remolding Orthosis Using a Noninvasive Laser Shape Digitizer

Deformational Plagiocephaly (DP) is a multi-planar deformity of the cranium occurring either pre-or postnatally in infants. In the last decade, the incidence of DP has increased substantially due to a number of factors, including supine sleeping positioning to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and the use of child carriers that increase supine positioning. Clinical questions persist about which children should be treated for DP and how to intervene, questions that are difficult to answer without accurate documentation of three-dimensional (3-D) head shape. This study explored a method for quantifying head shape and used that method to evaluate the success of orthotic treatment. Two hundred twenty-four infants who were diagnosed with DP received either a cranial remolding orthosis or a repositioning program with no orthotic intervention. Data from 25 head shape variables were collected using a noninvasive laser shape digitizer. Only variables attributable to growth showed significant differences in the control population, while the treatment population showed significant differences in pre-and post-treatment values for all variables. The study identified four variables as particularly important in assessing the head shape of infants with plagiocephaly: the cranial vault asymmetry index, radial symmetry index, posterior symmetry ratio, and overall symmetry ratio. Ninety-six percent or more of subjects in the treatment group showed improvement in each variable. These data document the utility of a 3-D scanning device and the effectiveness of treatment with a cranial remolding orthosis.