Comparison of outcomes of twins conceived spontaneously and by artificial reproductive therapy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the outcomes of twin pregnancies conceived by artificial reproductive techniques (ART) with those of spontaneous conception.

Study design: In this multicenter prospective trial, comparisons were made between methods of conception in twin pregnancies, for maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Results: Of 1001 twin pairs, 763/1001 (72.7%) were spontaneously conceived and 238/1001(27.3%) were conceived by ART. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to obstetric complications. There were 13 per 1000 (20/1504; 1%) perinatal deaths in the spontaneously conceived group and 6 per 1000 (3/466; 0.6%) in the ART group (p = 0.8141). We found no differences in gestational age at delivery (median 36.9 versus 37.0 weeks), birth weight (median 2520 g versus 2538 g), or in a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome (17% versus 15%) between the groups.

Conclusion: There were no differences in the rate of adverse obstetric or perinatal outcomes between twins conceived naturally compared with twins conceived by assisted conception.

• Assisted reproduction
• mode of conception
• perinatal outcomes
• spontaneous conception
• twin pregnancy

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Health Research Board of Ireland for providing funding for this study and the contribution of the following individuals: Fiona Cody and Hilda O’Keeffe, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Cecelia Mulcahy, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Dr Casie Staehr and Emma Doolin, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Phyl Gargan, Royal Victoria Maternity Hospital, Belfast, Ireland; Annette Burke, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland; Dr Richard Horgan and Marion Cunningham, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Debbie McCartan, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland; Dr Mary Higgins, Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, Ireland.