Selective first-trimester termination in octuplet and quadruplet pregnancies: clinical and ethical issues. 1988

M I Evans, and J C Fletcher, and I E Zador, and B W Newton, and M H Quigg, and C D Struyk
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hutzel Hospital/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

The induction of grand multiple gestations is a known complication of infertility treatments. The obstetric outcome in such cases has been very poor. We have evaluated, counseled, and performed first-trimester selective terminations for four patients, all treated with human menopausal gonadotropin, one with octuplets and three with quadruplets. In all cases, the gestations were reduced to twins. In two of the four cases, the pregnancy continued to near term without problem and resulted in the delivery of healthy twins. In the third case, pregnancy continued without problems for eight weeks, at which time renal agenesis was identified in one of the twins. In the fourth case, preterm labor five weeks later could not be stopped. Significant ethical issues must be addressed. We argue that selective termination in appropriate circumstances (eg, when the ability to carry the pregnancy to viability is very small) is ethically justified because it meets the criterion of least harm and most potential good.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009626 Terminology as Topic Works about the terms, expressions, designations, or symbols used in a particular science, discipline, or specialized subject area. Etymology,Nomenclature as Topic,Etymologies
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
D011261 Pregnancy Trimester, First The beginning third of a human PREGNANCY, from the first day of the last normal menstrual period (MENSTRUATION) through the completion of 14 weeks (98 days) of gestation. Early Placental Phase,Pregnancy, First Trimester,Trimester, First,Early Placental Phases,First Pregnancy Trimester,First Pregnancy Trimesters,First Trimester,First Trimester Pregnancies,First Trimester Pregnancy,First Trimesters,Phase, Early Placental,Phases, Early Placental,Placental Phase, Early,Placental Phases, Early,Pregnancies, First Trimester,Pregnancy Trimesters, First,Trimesters, First
D011272 Pregnancy, Multiple The condition of carrying two or more FETUSES simultaneously. Multiple Pregnancy,Multiple Pregnancies,Pregnancies, Multiple
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D011783 Quadruplets Four individuals derived from four FETUSES that were fertilized at or about the same time, developed in the UTERUS simultaneously, and born to the same mother. Quadruplet
D003657 Decision Making The process of making a selective intellectual judgment when presented with several complex alternatives consisting of several variables, and usually defining a course of action or an idea. Credit Assignment,Assignment, Credit,Assignments, Credit,Credit Assignments
D004992 Ethics, Medical The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families. Medical Ethics
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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