Prevention of multiple pregnancies in infertility treatment. 2012

Aila Tiitinen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and Helsinki University, PO Box 140, 00029 HUS, Finland. aila.tiitinen@hus.fi

The most important outcome of infertility treatment is a birth of a healthy baby. In many countries, in-vitro fertilisation treatments carry a high risk of twin pregnancy, which brings a higher risk to the mother and child than singleton pregnancies. Preterm delivery and low birth weight are the main factors accounting for the excess in neonatal morbidity. The use of elective single embryo transfer combined with cryopreservation can minimise the twin rate. Recent studies have shown that repeat single-embryo transfer can produce more live births per oocyte retrieval than double-embryo transfer. Ovulation-induction treatment protocols can also be improved and optimised. Correct counselling is important, as many infertile couples may desire twin pregnancies. Good counselling should include realistic information on the risks of twin gestation and also on later burdens with a multiple birth.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007246 Infertility A reduced or absent capacity to reproduce. Sterility,Reproductive Sterility,Sterility, Reproductive,Sub-Fertility,Subfertility
D010062 Ovulation Induction Techniques for the artifical induction of ovulation, the rupture of the follicle and release of the ovum. Ovarian Stimulation,Ovarian Stimulations,Stimulation, Ovarian,Stimulations, Ovarian
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011272 Pregnancy, Multiple The condition of carrying two or more FETUSES simultaneously. Multiple Pregnancy,Multiple Pregnancies,Pregnancies, Multiple
D005260 Female Females
D005307 Fertilization in Vitro An assisted reproductive technique that includes the direct handling and manipulation of oocytes and sperm to achieve fertilization in vitro. Test-Tube Fertilization,Fertilizations in Vitro,In Vitro Fertilization,Test-Tube Babies,Babies, Test-Tube,Baby, Test-Tube,Fertilization, Test-Tube,Fertilizations, Test-Tube,In Vitro Fertilizations,Test Tube Babies,Test Tube Fertilization,Test-Tube Baby,Test-Tube Fertilizations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012306 Risk The probability that an event will occur. It encompasses a variety of measures of the probability of a generally unfavorable outcome. Relative Risk,Relative Risks,Risk, Relative,Risks,Risks, Relative
D015925 Cryopreservation Preservation of cells, tissues, organs, or embryos by freezing. In histological preparations, cryopreservation or cryofixation is used to maintain the existing form, structure, and chemical composition of all the constituent elements of the specimens. Cryofixation,Cryonic Suspension,Cryonic Suspensions,Suspension, Cryonic
D056826 Single Embryo Transfer The techniques used to select and/or place only one embryo from FERTILIZATION IN VITRO into the uterine cavity to establish a singleton pregnancy. Embryo Transfer, Single,Embryo Transfers, Single,Single Embryo Transfers,Transfer, Single Embryo,Transfers, Single Embryo

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