The maternal and neonatal outcome of triplet gestations.

Abstract

Our purpose was to determine the contemporary maternal and neonatal outcome of triplet gestations. A retrospective review of 57 triplet deliveries between April 1, 1989, and July 31, 1994, was performed. The mean gestational age at delivery was 33.0 +/- 2.7 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1820 +/- 513 gm. The most common maternal complications were preterm labor (86.0%), anemia (58.1%), preeclampsia (33.3%), preterm premature rupture of the membranes (17.5%), postpartum hemorrhage (12.3%), and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome (10.5%). Neonatal complications included hyaline membrane disease (29.6%), transient tachypnea of the newborn (20.1%), intraventricular hemorrhage (7.7%), and major congenital anomalies (7.1%). The perinatal mortality was 41 per 1000. Birth order had no significant effect on the incidence of neonatal complications. Perinatal mortality rates have improved in recent years but remain higher than for singleton gestations. Despite increasing experience with triplets, the rate of maternal complications is high.