Maternal and neonatal outcomes in 54 triplet pregnancies managed in an Australian tertiary centre

To provide current data on maternal and neonatal outcomes in triplet pregnancies in an Australian population.

Retrospective case note review of all triplet pregnancies managed within a single Australian tertiary centre.

Fifty-four sets of triplets were managed from January 1996 to October 2002. A total of 59% resulted from the use of assisted reproductive technologies. The median gestation at delivery was 32.5 weeks (range: 21-36 weeks); 14% delivered prior to 28 weeks and 43% delivered before 32 weeks. Preterm labour and preterm rupture of membranes were the most common antenatal complications occurring in 57 and 22% of pregnancies, respectively. A total of 93% of pregnancies were delivered by Caesarean section and 37% of mothers experienced at least one post-partum complication. A total of 96% of neonates were liveborn, with a median birthweight of 1644 g (range: 165-2888 g). The two most common neonatal complications were jaundice and hypoglycaemia in 52 and 43% of liveborn neonates, respectively. A total of 28% of neonates were below the 10th centile for gestational age and sex. A total of 8% of neonates demonstrated congenital anomalies. The perinatal mortality at a gestational age of 20-24 weeks was 100%, 22% at 25-28 weeks and zero for those babies born at 29 weeks or beyond.

Assisted reproductive technologies contribute significantly to the incidence of triplet pregnancies. Gestational age at delivery and perinatal mortality is comparable to published international data. Triplets born in a tertiary centre beyond 28 weeks gestation have a very favourable prognosis in the newborn period.