Multifetal pregnancy reduction and selective termination

The incidence of multifetal pregnancies has increased dramatically since the advent of assisted reproductive technologies. Preterm delivery accounts for most of the mortality associated with multifetal pregnancies. Multifetal pregnancy reduction is a safe and effective procedure designed to decrease the adverse outcomes associated with very preterm deliveries. The increased incidence of multifetal pregnancies combined with reliable techniques for prenatal diagnosis of genetic and structural fetal anomalies have led to an increase in the diagnosis of abnormal fetal conditions in parents carrying multiple gestations. The development of the procedure of selective termination has provided prospective couples the option of selective termination of the abnormal fetus and continuation of the pregnancy.