Journal List > Perinatology > v.28(4) > 1071353

Kim, Ko, Lee, and Shin: Neonatal Outcome according to Birth Order in Triplets: A Comparative Study with Twins and Singletons

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.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1
Distribution of triplets by gestational age.
pn-28-146f1.tif
Fig. 2
Distribution of triplets by birth weight.
pn-28-146f2.tif
Table 1.
Neonatal Outcome of Triplets according to Birth order
Outcome Triplet 1st Triplet 2nd Triplet 3rd P value
Birth weight (g) 1,862.6±298.1 1,788.7±277.7 1,765.3±273.5 0.961
Head circumference (cm) 30.7±0.8 30.9±1.1 30.3±0.9 0.176
Sex        
Male 12 10 8 0.329
Female 5 7 9  
Apgar score        
1 minute <7 7 10 9 0.533
5 minutes <7 1 1 1 1.000
IUGR 1 3 0 0.150
Ventilator care        
SIMV 11 10 12 0.427
NCPAP 5 4 1  
RDS 1 2 3 0.562
BPD 2 0 1 0.343
Apnea 2 4 3 0.659
PDA 0 2 1 0.343
IVH (≥grade II) 0 0 0 1.000
Cystic PVL 0 0 0 1.000
ROP (≥grade III) 0 0 0 1.000
Days to achieve full 7.3±1.3 7.1±1.9 6.7±2.2 0.774
enteral feeding (days)        
Duration of 27.3±25.3 26.6±24.2 27.5±25.9 0.940
hospitalization (days)        

Values are presented as numbers or mean±standard deviation. Abbreviations: IUGR, intrauterine growth restriction; SIMV, synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation; NCPAP, nasal continuous positive airway pressure; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome; BPD, brochopulmonary dysplasia; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; IVH, intraventricular hemorrhage; PVL, periventricular leukomalacia; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity.

Table 2.
Neonatal Outcome of Triplets vs. Twins vs. Singletons
Neonatal outcome Triplets (n=51) Twins (n=68) Singletons (n=68) P-value (triplets vs. twins) P-value (triplets vs. singletons)
Maternal factor (pregnancies) 17 34 68    
Age (years) 33.7±2.4 33.3±2.7 33.9±3.1 0.290 0.714
Parity          
0 15 31 38 0.064 0.006
≥1 2 3 30    
ART          
COH 0 2 5 0.052 <0.001
IVF 14 16 6    
Cx.          
PIH 1 4 8 0.505 0.480
GDM 2 6 8 0.586 0.980
Birth weight (g) 1,805.4±409.0 1,960.3±441.0 2,087.8±522.1 0.068 <0.001
Gestational age (weeks) 33.6±2.0 32.2±2.6 33.8±2.4 0.389 0.258
Sex          
Male 30 44 36 0.535 0.535
Female 21 24 32    
Delivery mode          
C-sec 51 52 39 <0.001 <0.001
Vaginal 0 16 29    
Apgar score          
1 minute <7 26 28 27 0.287 0.220
5 minutes <7 3 1 3 0.186 0.716
IUGR 4 2 5 0.400 1.000
Ventilator care          
SIMV 27 31 27 0.061 0.101
NCPAP 10 5 14    
RDS 6 6 7 0.825 1.000
BPD 3 2 3 0.649 0.227
Apnea 9 7 7 0.367 0.367
PDA 3 2 3 0.649 0.227
IVH (≥grade II) 0 0 0 1.000 1.000
Cystic PVL 0 2 0 0.273 1.000
ROP (≥grade III) 0 0 1 1.000 0.175
Days to achieve full enteral feeding (days) 7.0±1.8 6.4±2.8 6.2±2.2 0.133 0.053
Duration of hospitalization (days) 27.1±24.6 21.2±19.2 23.6±24.4 0.094 0.106

Values are presented as numbers or mean±standard deviation. Abbreviations: ART, assisted reproductive technology; COH, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; IVF, in vitro fertilization; Cx., complication; PIH, pregnancy induced hypertension; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; IUGR, intrauterine growth restriction; SIMV, synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation; NCPAP, nasal continuous positive airway pressure; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome; BPD, brochopulmonary dysplasia; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; IVH, intraventricular hemorrhage; PVL, periventricular leukomalacia; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity.

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