SUPPLEMENT TO INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
Abstract
Objectives: To analyze characteristics and outcome of triplet
pregnancies without embryo reduction, to compare their growth
charts with twins, and to draw specific growth charts based on
neonatal weight.
Materials: We retrospectively analyzed 44 pregnancies and 132
neonates, who were delivered between 2001 and 2010 in two third
level Clinics of North-East Italy.
Methods: We compared triplets growth pattern with 1534 twins
born in the same centers during the same period. Data was analyzed
by R (version 2.14.1), considering significant p < 0.05.
Results: The mean maternal age of women with triplets was
33.4 years (±3.4). The mean gestational age at delivery was 33.3
weeks (±3.4) and the fetal weight of triplets was 1572 grams
(±477). In addition, 16% of triplets delivered before 28 weeks, 50%
between 28 and 34 weeks, and 34% between 34 and 37 weeks. In
both centers any patients from Sub-Saharan Africa (around 9% of
pregnant women) had triplets and 70% of the cases was treated
with procreation assisted technology. We compared twin growth charts with triplets and we found a significant difference (p < 0.001).
Then, we compared among the triplets the growth charts of males
and females (p 0.053). Considering the triplets and comparing our
growth chart with the twins we noted a plateau of growth in triplets
around 32 weeks while twins were still growing until delivery (in
all cases at or before 39 weeks of gestation).
Conclusions: We found a pattern of fetal growth in triplet different
from twin and singleton pregnancies. Therefore, it is our opinion
that to better monitor triplets without embryo reduction (to find
those at high risk for SGA and IUGR) there is the need of specific
growth chats like the one we suggest.
