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Reducing the Risk of Multiple
Pregnancy
A new study finds that by using less intensive treatment
with hormones to help infertile women become pregnant, the number of multiple births can
be reduced. The study, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, found while it
decreases the risk of multiple births, the less intense therapy may also reduce the number
of overall pregnancies.
Due to the growing use of infertility treatment among
women, the incidence of multiple pregnancy involving three or more fetuses is increasing.
This is especially seen in women who are induced to ovulate with hormones (gonadotropins).
In the case of in-vitro fertilization, this risk can be minimized, say researchers from
the Center for Human Reproduction, by transferring only two embryos. Currently, the
American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends the transfer of a maximum of three
to five embryos for in-vitro fertilization.
Researchers analyzed hormone treatment in close to 1,500
infertile women, 441 of which resulted in pregnancy. Among the 441 pregnancies, 314
resulted in single pregnancy, 88 resulted in twins, 22 in triplets, 10 in quadruplets,
five in quintuplets and two in sextuplets.
N. Gleicher, M.D., from the Center for Human Reproduction
in Chicago, Ill., who headed the study, concludes that, "The current criteria for
stimulating pregnancy with gonadotropins results in a high incidence of multiple
pregnancies and raises the question of whether ovulation should not be replaced by
in-vitro fertilization since this method allows better control over the risk of multiple
pregnancy." He adds that this study shows it is difficult to develop a way to lower
the number of multiple births without affecting the overall pregnancy rate. |
