ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze clinical management and outcomes of perinatal fetuses born in triplet and multiple pregnancy.Methods Data of clinical management and outcomes of 55 perinatal fetuses born during 1996 to 2005 by women with triplet and multiple pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively.Results Antenatal check-up was performed regularly for 1/6 of those pregnant women during 1996 to 2000,as compared to that of 8/11 during 2001 to 2005(P<0.05).No significant difference in incidence of varied obstetric complications was found between those during 1996 to 2000 and during 2001 to 2005.Average gestational week at birth was(32.7±2.8)and(35.1±1.9)weeks(P<0.05),and averagebirth weight was(1561±471)grams and(1987±453)grams(P<0.01),respectively for them during 1996 to 2000 and during 2001 to 2005.Caesarean section was performed more for the pregnant women in the earlier first five years than in the later five years,but not reaching statistical significance.Incidence of neonatal complications significantly decreased in the later five years than that in the earlier five yeats,including hyaline membrane disease,neonatal asphyxia,infectious diseases,intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary hemorrhage(P<0.05),but difference in incidence of apnea and low body temperature between the earlier and later five years did not reach statistical significance.Perinantal mortality was 8 in 35 births in the later five years,as compared to that of 12 in 20 births in earlier five years(P<0.01).Conclusions Outcomes of perinatal fetuses in triplet and multiple pregnancy can be improved by combined action of obstetricians and pediatricians,including regular antenatal examination,active prevention and treatment for pregnant complications and preterm infant diseases,earlier admission waiting for delivery to prolong gestational weeks and increase birth weight,and applying antenatal dexamethasone therapy.