ART: iatrogenic multiple pregnancy?

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2007 Feb;21(1):129-43. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2006.09.011. Epub 2006 Oct 30.

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are now widely accepted as effective treatment for most causes of infertility. With improving success rates, attention has turned to the problem of multiple pregnancies, which are associated with a poor perinatal outcome, maternal complications and significant financial consequences. The challenge is to reduce multigestational pregnancies while maintaining good treatment outcomes. Methods to prevent multiple pregnancy include restrictive use of ART in couples with a good chance of spontaneous pregnancy, cautious use of gonadotrophins, and increased use of natural-cycle intra-uterine insemination and elective single embryo transfer in in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The aim of this article is to review the contribution of fertility treatment to multiple pregnancies and strategies for reducing multiples in ART.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Embryo Transfer
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Multiple*
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted*