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Non-selective fetal reduction is malpractice

  • Ola Didrik Saugstad
Published/Copyright: September 11, 2006
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
From the journal Volume 34 Issue 5

Abstract

Non-selective multifetal pregnancy reduction is carried out to reduce healthy higher order multiple fetuses to one or two fetuses. No studies exist to show any benefit of this practice and a Cochrane review, as well as investigators in the field, have not found any justification for such practice. From a medical point of view, this non evidence-based practice is not following good clinical practice. Any practice that transfers more than one or two embryos, for instance due to commercial interests, should be abandoned by the international medical community because multifetal pregnancies can, to a large extent, be avoided by transferring only one or a maximum of two fertilized eggs by in vitro fertilization. Further, ovarian stimulating programs should strictly adhere to protocols aiming at mono-ovulation.

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Corresponding author: Ola Didrik Saugstad, MD PhD, FRCPE Professor in Pediatrics Department of Pediatric Research The National Hospital 0027 Oslo Norway Tel.: +47 23072790/94 Fax: +47 23072780

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Published Online: 2006-09-11
Published in Print: 2006-10-01

©2006 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York

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