[Prognosis of triplet pregnancies]

31 triplet pregnancies (DG), treated during 1975-1989, were analysed retrospectively. 13 DG (D10) were registered up to the end of the 10th week of pregnancy, 16 (DG) (D16) were intact between the 11th and the 16th gestational week. 3 DG resulted from the reduction of high grade multiple pregnancies. 18 DG (62%) of the initial 29 DG had previously been treated for sterility. The spontaneous foetal loss (DF) in group D10, including the perinatal mortality, amounted to 26% (10 of 39 DF). In one case of this group, a previously vital DF died. In another case, a partial bi-phasic abortion occurred followed by a premature birth of the surviving 3rd DF. The mortality rate in group D16, including the perinatal mortality (4 DF), was 25% (12 of 48 DF). 30 DG were still intact after the 16th week of pregnancy. 2 DG (7%) suffered from EPH-gestosis. In 4 DG (13%) a foeto-foetal transfusion syndrome occurred. 5 DF (6%) had some of the serious malformations. 27 DG were completed. 7 DG (26%) ended before the 32nd gestational week. In 13 DG (48%), a Caesarean section was performed. The perinatal mortality amounted to 11% (9 of the 81 DF) including all the births from the 25th gestational week upwards. On comparing these results with the data in the literature, a significant improvement in the prognosis of DG in recent years can be observed. This is due to the progress in antenatal and neonatal care.