ABSTRACT
The number of multiple births has increased >70% since 1980 [1], when approximately 40% of twin births and 80% of triplet and higher order births resulted from infertility therapy [2]. Multiple embryo transfers in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment particularly elevated the frequency of multiple pregnancies in this period. Although the desired outcome of infertility treatment is the birth of a single healthy infant, more than one embryo has commonly been transferred in IVF cycles to increase the likelihood of successful outcome. Subsequent multiple gestations, however, can lead to serious maternal and fetal health problems [3]. The overall cost of healthcare services provided for multiple pregnancies and resulting preterm births is estimated to exceed the cost of IVF itself [4-6]. Medical and nancial complications associated with IVF multiple pregnancies became much more important as the prevalence of IVF treatment increased signicantly within the past two decades.
