Shanthi Sairam1, Kate Costeloe, Baskaran Thilaganathan. 1. Feto-Maternal Medicine Unit, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prospective risk of stillbirth in multiple gestations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of birth notifications and infant mortality records relating to all multiple gestations to residents in a predefined health district. The incidence of live births and stillbirths was used to calculate the prospective risk of stillbirth at each week of gestation. RESULTS: The risk of stillbirth in multiple gestations increased from 1:3333 at 28 weeks' gestation to 1:69 at 39 or more weeks' gestation. The stillbirth risk in multiple gestations at 39 weeks surpassed that of postterm singleton pregnancies (1:526). CONCLUSION: Multiple gestations at 37-38 weeks have a risk of stillbirth equivalent to that of postterm singleton pregnancy. Because multiple gestations rarely proceed beyond 39 weeks, and because stillbirth risk increases several-fold beyond this stage, elective delivery might be justified at this gestational age.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prospective risk of stillbirth in multiple gestations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of birth notifications and infant mortality records relating to all multiple gestations to residents in a predefined health district. The incidence of live births and stillbirths was used to calculate the prospective risk of stillbirth at each week of gestation. RESULTS: The risk of stillbirth in multiple gestations increased from 1:3333 at 28 weeks' gestation to 1:69 at 39 or more weeks' gestation. The stillbirth risk in multiple gestations at 39 weeks surpassed that of postterm singleton pregnancies (1:526). CONCLUSION: Multiple gestations at 37-38 weeks have a risk of stillbirth equivalent to that of postterm singleton pregnancy. Because multiple gestations rarely proceed beyond 39 weeks, and because stillbirth risk increases several-fold beyond this stage, elective delivery might be justified at this gestational age.
Authors: Olivia Barigye; Lucia Pasquini; Paula Galea; Helen Chambers; Lucy Chappell; Nicholas M Fisk Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2005-06-28 Impact factor: 11.069
Authors: K S Joseph; Kitaw Demissie; Robert W Platt; Cande V Ananth; Brian J McCarthy; Michael S Kramer Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2004-04-16 Impact factor: 3.007