title: Outcomes of Triplets reduced to Twins versus non-reduced Triplet Pregnancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the outcomes of triplet pregnancies selectively reduced to twin pregnancies, compared with non-reduced triplet pregnancies using a standardized approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is an observational retrospective study of all women who presented to the Fetal Diagnostic Center between 1999-2009, had triplet pregnancies in the first trimester, received prenatal care and delivered at Abington Memorial Hospital. Data analysis was performed with SPPS version 15 for Windows using analysis of variance and Fisher's Exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  132 triplet pregnancies were identified. In the reduced group (n= 30) compared to the non-reduced triplet group (n= 102) average gestational age of delivery was longer 34.6 weeks versus 31.2 weeks gestation (P= <0.0005) and days in hospital were less 9.0 versus 26.7 days (P= .001). There was a significantly lower incidence of gestational diabetes and preterm labor in reduced pregnancies. Rate of loss, defined as delivery less than 24 weeks, were similar [3.3% versus 4.9%].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women electing to reduce a triplet pregnancy to twins have higher gestational ages at delivery, lower rates of gestational diabetes and preterm labor, and spent fewer days in hospital than non-reduced triplet pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Section, Department of Women's, Infants, and Children, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC ; National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Donna B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Raval
authors.affiliation: Abington Memorial Hospital, Department of Medicine, Abington, PA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naglak
authors.affiliation: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Section, Department of Women's, Infants, and Children, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Sara N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Section, Department of Women's, Infants, and Children, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: Abington Memorial Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abington, PA.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Craparo