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Perinatal outcome in triplet versus twin gestations
D A Sassoon1, L C Castro, J L Davis
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Triplet pregnancies face significantly worse perinatal outcomes than twin pregnancies, including higher rates of preterm birth and lower birth weights. While maternal risks were similar, neonates in triplet gestations required more intensive care.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Neonatology
Background:
- Triplet pregnancies present unique challenges compared to twin pregnancies.
- Understanding comparative perinatal outcomes is crucial for patient counseling and clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare perinatal outcomes between triplet and twin pregnancies.
- To identify specific risks associated with triplet gestations.
Main Methods:
- Matched case-control study comparing 15 triplet and 15 twin pregnancies.
- Outcomes assessed included preterm labor, delivery, birth weight, gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation, discordancy, neonatal intensive care, and maternal/neonatal complications.
Main Results:
- Triplet gestations had significantly higher rates of preterm labor (80% vs. 40%) and delivery (87% vs. 26.7%).
- Neonates from triplet pregnancies had lower mean birth weight (1720g vs. 2475g) and gestational age (33w vs. 36.6w).
- Triplet pregnancies showed increased intrauterine growth retardation (53.3% vs. 6.7%), discordancy (66.7% vs. 13.3%), and need for neonatal intensive care (5x higher risk).
Conclusions:
- Triplet pregnancies are associated with significantly poorer neonatal outcomes compared to twin pregnancies.
- Despite increased neonatal risks, maternal morbidity and major neonatal complications did not differ significantly between groups.
- Findings provide valuable data for counseling patients regarding the risks of triplet pregnancies.