Selective Fetal Reduction in Triplet Pregnancy: Indian Experience — A Retrospective Review of 32 Cases

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim To review the effects of selective fetal reduction in trichorionic triplet pregnancy with focus on risk of miscarriage and preterm delivery in Indian women and thus provide local data for counseling the prospective parents in similar situation. Materials and methods This retrospective study reviewed the pregnancy outcome of 32 sets of triplet pregnancies following fetal reduction. All mothers had trichorionic triplet pregnancy with three live fetuses at 10 to 11 weeks of gestation. One to two milliliter ml of 10% potassium chloride (KCl) was injected into the heart of the target fetus to achieve asystole. Results The miscarriage (pregnancy loss before 24 completed weeks) rate in our study was 3.12%. The delivery in our study at. 32 and. 35 weeks were 6.45 and 51.61% respectively. The mean gestational age (mean ± SD) of the mothers was 242.58 ± 12.93 days. Regarding the birthweight of neonates, 5.08% babies were <1500 gm, 89.83% were between 1500 and. 2500 gm and 5.08% were > 2500 gm. The mean birth weight (mean ± SD) of the babies was 1921.18 ± 339.78 gm. There was no neonatal death in this cohort. Conclusion Our study results, when compared with ‘expectant management’ group of two European studies as there was no control in our study, appeared significantly better in terms of gestational age at delivery and neonatal birth weight. Selective fetal reduction remains an effective option to Indian women with trichorionic triplet pregnancy. How to cite this article Chaudhury K, Mukherjee K. Selective Fetal Reduction in Triplet Pregnancy: Indian Experience — A Retrospective Review of 32 Cases. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014;6(3):144-150.