title: The effect of antenatal corticosteroids on fetal growth, survival, and neurodevelopmental outcome in triplet pregnancies.
abstract: Triplet pregnancies have increased as a result of infertility therapy. The objectives of this study are to review the outcome of triplet pregnancies and to determine the effect of different antenatal corticosteroid treatments on fetal growth, survival, and neurodevelopmental outcome. A retrospective case note review of infant and maternal records from a single tertiary neonatal unit was performed from January 1, 1986, through December 31, 1999; 173 live births from 60 triplet pregnancies were divided into groups according to maternal antenatal corticosteroid exposure. Logistic regression model showed only gestation had a significant effect on survival. There was no adverse effect of steroid exposure on weight or head circumference at birth. Ninety percent of live births survived to discharge. Of 143 survivors, only five infants had documented neurodevelopmental problems. Survival rate in triplet pregnancy is high. In this analysis of cohort data repetitive antenatal steroids were not associated with adverse outcome.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amore
authors.forename: Jag
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahluwalia
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaptoge
authors.forename: Wilf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kelsall
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D002508:Cephalometry; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008499:Medical Records; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014310:Triplets
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones