Pregnancy outcomes in dichorionic twins:comparing assisted reproductive technology and spontaneous conception

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui     font:big middle small

Fund programs: Natural Science Research Project of Anhui Educational Committee(No. 2023AH040369); Clinical Medical Research Translational Project of Anhui Province(No. 202204295107020018)

Authors:Yin Jiancai,Zhao Ziyan,Zhao Baojing,Yu Zhen,Yang Yuanyuan

Keywords:assisted reproductive technology;spontaneous pregnancy;twin pregnancy;pregnancy outcome;pla‑ cental adhesion;postpartum hemorrhage;hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000–1492.2026.05.015

〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate the differences in pregnancy outcomes between dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA)twin pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technology(ART)and those from spontaneous con‑ ception,in order to provide evidence for the perinatal management of ART-conceived DCDA twins. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 549 DCDA twin parturients. Based on the mode of con‑ ception,they were divided into ART group(423 cases)and spontaneous conception group(126 cases). The base‑ line characteristics,pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Re ⁃ sults Regarding baseline characteristics,the ART group had higher maternal age,number of previous abortions, proportions of primiparas,proportions of advanced maternal age and greater 24-hour postpartum blood loss,but lower parity and proportion of scarred uterus compared to the spontaneous conception group(P<0. 05). For preg‑ nancy complications,the ART group exhibited higher incidences of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,placental adhesion,postpartum hemorrhage and a higher application rate of uterine artery ascending branch ligation(P< 0. 05). There were no statistically significant differences in neonatal-related indicators between the two groups. Af‑ ter adjusting for confounding factors such as age,number of abortions and parities,ART remained an independent risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,placental adhesion and postpartum hemorrhage(P<0. 05), while it did not increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Further subgroup analysis by gestational age showed that in the late preterm subgroup,the risk of ART-related pregnancy complications remained elevated(P< 0. 05). Additionally,neonatal outcomes showed no significant difference between the two groups in both the late preterm and term subgroups. Conclusion ART increases the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,placen‑ tal adhesion and postpartum hemorrhage in DCDA twin parturients. Clinically,enhanced monitoring of blood pres‑ sure during pregnancy and blood loss during delivery and postpartum,along with targeted prevention and manage ‑ ment of these complications,are crucial for improving pregnancy outcomes.