Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5

Ahmet Kurt; Ayşe Gizem Yıldız; Dilara Sarıkaya Kurt; Recep Taha Ağaoğlu; Ayberk Çakır; İnci Kahyaoğlu

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1861882

Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5

Abstract

Background: Multiple pregnancies following assisted reproductive technologies (ART) remain a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. While the impact of embryo transfer day —cleavage-stage (day 3) versus blastocyststage (day 5)— has been extensively studied in singleton pregnancies, data focusing specifically on twin pregnancies resulting from double embryo transfer (DET) are limited. This study aimed to compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies following DET on day 3 (D3) versus day 5 (D5). Methods: This retrospective single-centre cohort study included fresh ART cycles performed between 2010-2022. A total of 47 liveborn twin pregnancies following DET were analysed (D3: n = 28; D5: n = 19). Maternal demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Primary outcomes included gestational age at birth, birthweight, and composite adverse perinatal outcome (CAPO). Secondary outcomes included neonatal morbidities such as NICU admission, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and neonatal mortality. Results: Maternal baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Gestational age at birth and birthweight did not differ significantly between D3 and D5 transfers (p >0.05). The incidence of CAPO was similar in both groups (35.7% vs 39.5%, p=0.711). Rates of NICU admission, Apgar score ≤ 7 at 5 minutes, respiratory distress syndrome, and neonatal mortality were also comparable. Conclusions: The day of double embryo transfer (D3 vs D5) was not associated with obstetric or neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. These findings suggest that limiting embryo number and appropriate patient selection are more critical than transfer day in reducing risks related to multiple pregnancies.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital (Decision no: 22.09.2022-12-14). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Thanks

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the medical staff and research team at Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital for their valuable support in data collection and study coordination. We also appreciate the efforts of all participants who contributed to this research.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ahmet Kurt ^*
0000-0001-8402-5675
Türkiye

Ayşe Gizem Yıldız
0009-0001-6332-6724
Türkiye

Dilara Sarıkaya Kurt
0000-0002-1492-0305
Türkiye

Recep Taha Ağaoğlu
0000-0002-6570-1006
Türkiye

Ayberk Çakır
0000-0001-5749-4556
Türkiye

İnci Kahyaoğlu
0000-0002-2283-9128
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 26, 2026

Submission Date

January 13, 2026

Acceptance Date

January 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1861882

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA84EH67HS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kurt, A., Yıldız, A. G., Kurt, D. S., Ağaoğlu, R. T., Çakır, A., & Kahyaoğlu, İ. (2026). Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(January, February, March 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1861882

AMA

1.Kurt A, Yıldız AG, Kurt DS, Ağaoğlu RT, Çakır A, Kahyaoğlu İ. Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(January, February, March 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1861882

Chicago

Kurt, Ahmet, Ayşe Gizem Yıldız, Dilara Sarıkaya Kurt, Recep Taha Ağaoğlu, Ayberk Çakır, and İnci Kahyaoğlu. 2026. “Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (January, February, March 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1861882.

EndNote

Kurt A, Yıldız AG, Kurt DS, Ağaoğlu RT, Çakır A, Kahyaoğlu İ (March 1, 2026) Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026

IEEE

[1]A. Kurt, A. G. Yıldız, D. S. Kurt, R. T. Ağaoğlu, A. Çakır, and İ. Kahyaoğlu, “Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. January, February, March 2026, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1861882.

ISNAD

Kurt, Ahmet - Yıldız, Ayşe Gizem - Kurt, Dilara Sarıkaya - Ağaoğlu, Recep Taha - Çakır, Ayberk - Kahyaoğlu, İnci. “Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/January, February, March 2026 (March 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1861882.

JAMA

1.Kurt A, Yıldız AG, Kurt DS, Ağaoğlu RT, Çakır A, Kahyaoğlu İ. Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1861882.

MLA

Kurt, Ahmet, et al. “Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. January, February, March 2026, Mar. 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1861882.

Vancouver

1.Ahmet Kurt, Ayşe Gizem Yıldız, Dilara Sarıkaya Kurt, Recep Taha Ağaoğlu, Ayberk Çakır, İnci Kahyaoğlu. Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies Following Double Embryo Transfer on Day 3 versus Day 5. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 Mar. 1;17(January, February, March 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1861882