Joachim W Dudenhausen1, Björn Misselwitz2, Aurelie Piedvache3, Rolf F Maier4, Tom Weber5, Jennifer Zeitlin3, Stephan Schmidt6. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 2. Institute of Quality Assurance Hesse, Eschborn, Germany. 3. INSERM U1153, Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé), Paris, France. 4. Children's Hospital, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany. 5. Department of Obstetrics, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. 6. Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe obstetrical care and in-hospital outcomes in very preterm triplet pregnancies in a European multiregional cohort. METHODS: Data from a prospective population-based study of very preterm births between 22 + 0 and 31 + 6 weeks of gestation in 19 regions from 11 European countries participating in the EPICE project in 2011/2012 were used to describe triplet pregnancies and compare them with twins and singletons. RESULTS: Triplets constituted 1.1% of very preterm pregnancies (97/8851) and 3.3% of very preterm live births (258/7900); these percentages varied from 0% to 2.6% and 0% to 6% respectively across the regions. In-hospital mortality after live birth was 12.4% and did not differ significantly from singletons or twins or by birth order. However, 28.9% of mothers with a triplet pregnancy experienced at least one neonatal death. Ninety percent of live-born triplets were delivered by cesarean. Vaginal delivery was associated with an Apgar score of less than 7, but not with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of very preterm triplets varies across European regions. Most triplets were born by cesarean and those born vaginally had lower Apgar scores. Overall, in-hospital mortality after live birth was similar to singletons and twins.
OBJECTIVE: To describe obstetrical care and in-hospital outcomes in very preterm triplet pregnancies in a European multiregional cohort. METHODS: Data from a prospective population-based study of very preterm births between 22 + 0 and 31 + 6 weeks of gestation in 19 regions from 11 European countries participating in the EPICE project in 2011/2012 were used to describe triplet pregnancies and compare them with twins and singletons. RESULTS: Triplets constituted 1.1% of very preterm pregnancies (97/8851) and 3.3% of very preterm live births (258/7900); these percentages varied from 0% to 2.6% and 0% to 6% respectively across the regions. In-hospital mortality after live birth was 12.4% and did not differ significantly from singletons or twins or by birth order. However, 28.9% of mothers with a triplet pregnancy experienced at least one neonatal death. Ninety percent of live-born triplets were delivered by cesarean. Vaginal delivery was associated with an Apgar score of less than 7, but not with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of very preterm triplets varies across European regions. Most triplets were born by cesarean and those born vaginally had lower Apgar scores. Overall, in-hospital mortality after live birth was similar to singletons and twins.
Authors: Mireia Bernal Claverol; María Ruiz Minaya; Irene Aracil Moreno; Santiago García Tizón; Pilar Pintado Recarte; Melchor Alvarez-Mon; Coral Bravo Arribas; Miguel A Ortega; Juan A De Leon-Luis Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-03-28 Impact factor: 4.241