[Fetal development and gestational weeks for triplets pregnancies and the comparison with singletons].
OBJECTIVE
To study the fetal developmental regulation and gestational weeks at labor for triplets pregnancies.


METHODS
To detect biparietal diameters and femoral length at different gestational weeks, record gestational weeks of labor and birth weights, and compare with those of singletons.


RESULTS
The fetal development of triplets slowed down from the beginning of the 28th gestational week compared with that of singletons (the mean difference was 2.1 mm and 3.1 mm respectively, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Birth weights of 36.2% triplets was less than that of the 10th percent of the same singletons gestational week. 95.7% triplets delivered their babies before 36 weeks. The average gestational week was 34.0 +/- 1.6, obviously ahead of the singletons'.


CONCLUSIONS
The fetal developmental regulation of triplets pregnancies is different from that of singletons, the gestational period is shorter than those of twins and singletons.
Du
Juan
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
Song
Wei-wei
WW
Wei
Jun
J
Shang
Tao
T
D000328:Adult; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology*