title: Comparative outcome study between triplet and singleton preterm newborns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome of triplet versus singleton preterm newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 64 sets of preterm triplet (gestational age 25-34 wk) and 64 singleton controls. Data on prenatal and perinatal findings, neonatal complications, duration of hospitalization, and neonatal mortality were collected by chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mothers of triplets were more likely to receive prenatal tocolytic treatment and more antenatal steroids for foetal lung maturation, and to be delivered by caesarean section. No differences were found between the groups in perinatal parameters (cord pH, Apgar score, respiratory support after birth), respiratory parameters (severity of acute and chronic lung disease, use and duration of oxygen treatment and assisted ventilation), or neonatal complications (patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, meningitis, sepsis and jaundice). This was also true for duration of hospitalization and neonatal mortality. No differences were recorded by birth order among the triplets for any of these parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that good prenatal care can lead to a good outcome for preterm triplets, close to that of preterm singleton infants. Families and physicians should consider this information when foetal reduction is offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Schneider Children's Medical Centre of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel. maayan@flashmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maayan-Metzger
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naor
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sirota
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014310:Triplets