[Delivery of quadruplets after in vitro fertilization: perinatologic and ethical aspects]

Progress in modern reproductive medicine has brought much success to infertile couples. A side effect of IVF procedure are multiple pregnancies with clinical, ethical, perinatal and social problems. We report about the first case of quadruplets after IVF born in Austria and try to illustrate the perinatal, social and ethical problems. The 34 year old woman was treated in our sterility outpatient clinic because of secondary sterility. In 1988 finally she underwent IVF procedure. Four oocytes were retrieved by means of vaginal follicle puncture. 4 embryos were transferred, and after 3 weeks 4 viable embryos were seen at an ultrasound investigation. Due to placental insufficiency a cesarean section had to be performed in the 31st week of gestation. The weights of the premature infants were 1280 g, 1340 g, 1260 g and 1250 g. Two years after birth two infants show neurologic defects and need permanent care.