Triplet morbidity and mortality in a large case series

Abstract

Objective: A significant increase in the triplet birth rate has occurred recently. This rise is of concern, as these infants are historically reported to be at risk of adverse outcome. Thus, we examined the outcome of triplet births in a large contemporary case series.

Study design: Since 1993, detailed clinical data have been collected on all patients admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We retrospectively analyzed this database to examine triplet outcome.

Results: A total of 51 consecutive sets of triplets were born over a 9-year period. The mean birth weight for triplets was 1789+/-505 g, mean gestational age was 32.6+/-2.7 weeks, with discordancy present in 17.6% of neonates. Complications of prematurity were infrequent. Triplet survival to discharge was 96%.

Conclusions: This large contemporary case series of triplets demonstrates excellent survival with low associated morbidity. These data suggest that there may no longer be medical justification for offering selective fetal reduction to parents with triplet pregnancies.