Multifetal pregnancy reduction

This study was undertaken to evaluate the pregnancy outcome in women who underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction.
The data reported here reflect the multifetal pregnancy reduction experience of Hacettepe University Hospital Dept of Ob/Gyn, Division of Perinatology from 1995 through 2002.
Pregnancy records were retrospectively reviewed.
In the absence of any abnormal findings, the fetuses most readily accessible were chosen for reduction, usually those most fundal in location. All multifetal pregnancy reduction procedures were perfoımed between 9 and 14 weeks gestation via intrathoracic injection of potassium chloride under ultrasonographic guidance.
The fetus chosen for reduction was the one with suspicious ultrasonographic findings such as increased nuchal translucency thickness or delayed growth in comparison with others.
122 procedures were performed on 83 pregnancies. Of these pregnancies 53 (63,85%) were tıiplets, 20 (24,09%) were quadriplets, 6 (7,22%)were quintuplets and 4 (4,81%) were sextuplets.
Mean age of patients was 31,8±4,2, mean gestational age at MFPR was 11,2+1,2, mean starting number was 3,4±0,<-> (3-6) and finishing number was 2.
Fetal loss rates according to starting numher of fetuses are summarised in Table 1.
                       Loss<20 weeks               Loss btw 20-28 weeks          Total loss
3-2 (53)          1 (l,88%)                         2 (3,76%)                              3 (5,66%)          
4-2 (20)          1 (5%)                             2 (10%)                                 3 (15%)
5-2 (6)            1 (16,6%)                        2 (33,3%)                              3 (50 %)
6-2 (4)            1 (25%)                           1 (25%)                                 2 (50%)
Total loss        4 (4,81%)                        7 (8,43%)                             11 (13,25%)