title: [Neonatal outcome multiple pregnancies at the Neonatal Department of Research Institute of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyze the course of neonatal period among babies born from truly higher-order multiple pregnancies (> or = 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective analysis included 81 infants born from multiple pregnancies (> or = 3), hospitalized in Neonatal Department of Research Institute of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital between 1995-2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studied population contained 63 babies delivered from 21 triplet pregnancies, 8 newborns from 2 quadruplet pregnancies and ten quintuplets. The groups were analyzed according to gestational age, birth weight, ventilation and hospitalization time as well as early and late consequences of prematurity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the multiples (> or = 3) the mean birth weight of triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets was respectively: 1656 g vs 1166 g vs 725 g, the diminished gestational age was also noticed: 32.4 vs 30 vs 26.5 GA. The cesarean section ratio in triplet deliveries was 95%, while quadruplets and quintuplets pregnancies were always delivered by operative interventions. The increase in number of fetuses was significantly associated with prolonged ventilation time (mean 9.5 vs 22.2 vs 57.5 days) as well as the hospitalization (mean 29.1 vs 64.1 s 79.6 days). The differences between mentioned above values reached statistical significance (p < 0.001). One out of three neonates born from triplet pregnancy required ventilatory support (36.6%), whereas in quadruplets and quintuplets this ratio reached 100%. The respiratory distress syndrome treated with surfactant was diagnosed in 7.9% (5/63) of triplets, 37.5% (3/8) quadruplets and 100% of quintuplets among whom 8 babies needed more than one dose of surfactant. The increased risk of unfavorable prematurity outcome (PDA, ROP, BPD, IVH) and neonatal death was highly related to plurality of pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple pregnancies resulting from infertility treatment cause many medical problems. Undesirable outcome among neonates delivered from higher-order multiple pregnancies (> or = 3 fetuses) predestine to more judicious approach in the application of assisted reproductive techniques and multiple pregnancies prophylaxis.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gulczyńska
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zjawiona
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grodzicka
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowiczewski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Woźniak
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowakowska
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilczyński
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gadzinowski
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011783:Quadruplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011811:Quintuplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014310:Triplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data