A retrospective analysis of placentas from twin pregnancies derived from assisted reproductive technology.

ABSTRACT

There are conflicting studies associating twin pregnancies derived from assisted reproductive technology (ART) with preterm birth, low birthweight, and other negative outcomes. This work investigates whether ART is linked with any placental pathology, given that placentation significantly influences fetal development. A 5-year, retrospective cohort study was conducted on placentas from twin pregnancies. The placental information from 417 patients was divided into two groups placentas derived from ART and placentas derived from spontaneous pregnancies (non-ART). Available clinical information and pathologic findings from both groups then were compared. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of placental pathology between the non-ART and ART cohorts (i.e., cord insertion, single umbilical artery, cord knot, retroplacental hemorrhage, infarction, vasculopathy, vascular anastomoses, chorangiosis, villitis, deciduitis, chorioamnionitis, meconium staining). However, 8% of ART multiple pregnancies were monochorionic. While monochorionicity is a known risk factor for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, the rate of monochorionic placentation did not increase as a result of ART. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that this small percentage of monochorionic placentation occurred in the ART cohort despite the implantation of individual embryos. Overall, the data suggests that ART does not have a role in the pathologic placentation of twin pregnancies.