Perinatology.  2017 Dec;28(4):146-150. 10.14734/PN.2017.28.4.146.

Neonatal Outcome according to Birth Order in Triplets: A Comparative Study with Twins and Singletons

• Kim SH
• Ko SY
• Lee YK
• Shin SM

• KMID: 2409122
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/PN.2017.28.4.146

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the neonatal outcome of triplets and compare the results of twins and singletons with those of triplets.
METHODS
From 2004 to 2015, we reviewed medical records of triplets who were delivered in a single center. We investigated clinical characteristics and neonatal outcome according to the birth order in triplets, and compared those of twins and singletons who were gestational age-matched and born preceding and following the birth of each triplet.
RESULTS
Seventeen sets of triplet (51 neonates) were born during the reviewed 12-year period and the incidence of triplets was 0.06%. All triplets were born between 26+5 weeks and 35+2 weeks, the mean gestational age was 33.1±2.6 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 1,805.4±409.0 g. According to the birth order, the mean birth weight of first, second, and third babies was 1,862.6± 298.1 g, 1,788.7±277.7 g, and 1,765.3±273.5 g respectively, although there was no significant difference. Also there was no difference in respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, apnea, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and retinopathy of prematurity among the three groups. In a comparative study of triplets to twins and singletons, there was no difference in neonatal outcome except birth weight (triplets vs. twins: 1,805.4 ±409.0 g vs. 1,960.3±441.0 g, P=0.068, triplets vs. singletons: 1,805.4±409.0 g vs. 2,087.8± 522.1 g, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
There was no influence of the birth order on birth weight and neonatal outcome of triplets. Neonatal outcome of triplets was not different to that of twins and singletons except birth weight of triplets to singletons in a gestational age-matched study.

Keyword

Triplets; Twins; Newborns

MeSH Terms

Apnea
Birth Order*
Birth Weight
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent
Gestational Age
Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Leukomalacia, Periventricular
Medical Records
Parturition*
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Triplets*
Twins*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Distribution of triplets by gestational age.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of triplets by birth weight.

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