[Mid- and long-term outcome of 77 triplets and their families]

To compare the family status and neurodevelopment of triplets conceived by spontaneous pregnancy (SP), ovarian stimulation (OS), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and gametal intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT).

A follow-up study consisted of neurodevelopmental examination and/or of interviews of parents/pediatricians/teachers and social workers. Outcome of the children was categorized as defective (mild, moderate, severe) or normal.

The Port-Royal neonatal unit and follow-up clinic.

From 1/01/1987 to 31/12/94, one to all three neonatal triplets were admitted to the Port-Royal neonatal unit. Pregnancy was SP in 12, OS in 24, IVF in 36, GIFT in 5. All survivors (36 SP, 68 OS, 98 IVF, 14 GIFT) were included and their outcome (at 3 to 10 years of age) was known in 75 families.

Prematurity < 32 weeks was highest in the SP pregnancies, with no birth > 37 weeks, and more small-for-dates babies. As of this writing, the neurodevelopmental status was normal or included only a mild deficit (mainly visual corrections) in 82% of SP survivors, 94% of OS survivors, 98% of IVF survivors, all 14 GIFT survivors. Moderate and major deficits were found in one or two siblings of 7 sets of triplets, 5 of which were born < 32 weeks (1 SP, 3 OS, 1 IVF). In all groups, family status was characterized by the need to move, financial problems, maternal exhaustion and parental breakdowns. Five OS mothers, 5 IVF mothers, and one GIFT mother each had one to three subsequent SP pregnancies. In 1997, all families included one to eight children. Because of the cumulative effect of losses, deficits, and other post-natal difficulties, only one of four families had no problems.

The overall outcome of surviving triplets is good but they are both a prenatal and post-natal hardship for the parents, chiefly the mother. We advocate a more cautious use of OS, no triple implantation at the first IVF, and more social help and guidance for the families during the pregnancy and the first 3 years of life of the triplets.