title: Perinatal outcome comparing triplets and singleton births at a reference maternity hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate adverse perinatal outcome in a group of high order pregnancies pared with singletons by BW and GA at birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was reviewed for all admissions of triplets and quadruplets in a 7 year period. For each study neonate we selected two singleton infants to constitute a control group. Variables analyzed included: respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and periventricular leukomalacia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied a total of 128 multiple and 260 singleton infants. Mean gestational age and birth weight were similar in both groups (31.3 ± 2,5 wks e 31.5 ± 2,8 wks; 1470 ± 461 g vs 1495 ± 540 g). There was no significant difference between the groups in the majority of main morbidities. The incidence of NEC was higher in triplets (6.3 vs 0.8%, p value <0.01). Mortality was higher in singletons (9.6 vs 3.1%, p value <0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that major neonatal outcomes are very similar between multiples and singletons births when paired by gestational age and birth weight. NEC remained a significant morbidity in infants born from multiple gestations after adjustment for maternal and neonatal risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Maternity Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: M Andrade
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Instituto Fernandes Figueira/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nassar de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Instituto Fernandes Figueira/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gomes Júnior
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Instituto Fernandes Figueira/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: F Freitas
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Maternity Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maria de A Lopes
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014310:Triplets / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Multiple gestation; enterocolitis; outcome; premature