Impact of Conception Method on Twin Pregnancy Course and Outcome

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Perinatology

Background:

• Twin pregnancies present unique challenges in maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Assisted reproduction techniques (ART) are increasingly utilized for conception, raising questions about their impact on multiple gestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the course and outcomes of twin pregnancies conceived via ART versus spontaneous conception.
• To identify specific ART methods associated with different pregnancy parameters and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 431 twin pregnancies delivered at a tertiary care center over three years.
• Patients categorized by conception method (spontaneous vs. ART) and ART type (IVF/ICSI).
• Data collected included maternal factors, pregnancy complications, delivery details, and neonatal outcomes for each twin.

Main Results:

• ART was associated with advanced maternal age, lower parity, and planned Cesarean sections.
• While preterm membrane rupture was more frequent with ICSI, overall preterm delivery and complications were infrequent across all conception groups.
• ART twins were predominantly dichorionic; conception method did not correlate with adverse neonatal outcomes (weight, Apgar score, disorders).

Conclusions:

• ART procedures, including IVF/ICSI, do not appear to negatively influence the course or outcomes of twin pregnancies.
• Spontaneously conceived and ART-conceived twin pregnancies exhibit comparable outcomes, supporting the safety of ART in managing multiple gestations.