How much have the perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies improved over the last two decades?

How Have the Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes of Triplet Pregnancies Changed over the Last Two Decades?

OBJECTIVES

Triplet pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies, and its baseline characteristics and gestational care protocols have changed over the years. The objective of this study is to compare the baseline characteristics and the prevalence of maternal, fetal, obstetric, and perinatal outcomes between triplet pregnancies conceived between 2013 and 2024 (period II [PII]) and those conceived between 2000 and 2012 (period I [PI]).

METHODS

This was a single-centre, observational retrospective case-control study that included all triplet pregnancies followed up at the La Paz University Hospital between 2000 and 2024. Univariate and multivariate statistical studies were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 234 triplet pregnancies were analyzed, with 140 in the PI group and 94 in the PII group. Maternal age (P = 0.04) and nulliparity rate (P < 0.01) were higher in the PII group, although pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive techniques were more frequent in the PI group (P = 0.04). The percentage of dichorionic triamniotic pregnancies was significantly higher in the PII group (P < 0.01), and the percentage of trichorionic triamniotic pregnancies was significantly higher in the PI group (P < 0.01). Preeclampsia (P < 0.01), intrauterine growth restriction (P < 0.01), fetal death (P < 0.01), neonatal death (P = 0.04), and small for gestational age (P < 0.01) were significantly more frequent in the PII group. Threatened preterm labour (P < 0.01) and extremely premature births (P < 0.01) were significantly more frequent in the PI group. After adjusting for confounders, premature birth was the only outcome that remained significant (adjusted P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The baseline characteristics of the PII group (higher maternal age and higher rates of nulliparity and dichorionic triamniotic pregnancy) might be associated with a higher rate of obstetric and fetal complications during this period. Rates of premature birth and threatened preterm labour have decreased over the years, which is probably related to advances in gestational care.

Maternal, Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes of Triplet Pregnancies According to Chorionicity: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis

Triplet pregnancies are rare events that affect approximately 93 in 100,000 deliveries in the world, especially due to the increased use of assisted reproductive techniques and older maternal age. Triplet pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality compared to twins and singletons. Chorionicity has been proposed as a major determinant of perinatal and maternal outcomes in triplet pregnancies, although further evidence is needed to clarify the extent and real influence of this factor. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the maternal and perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies, evaluating how chorionicity may influence these results. A total of 46 studies with 43,653 triplet pregnancies and 128,145 live births were included. Among the main results of our study, we found a broad spectrum of fetal and maternal complications, especially in the group of monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies. Risk of admission to NICU, respiratory distress, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, perinatal and intrauterine mortality were all found to be higher in non-TCTA pregnancies than in TCTA pregnancies. To date, our meta-analysis includes the largest population sample and number of studies conducted in this field, evaluating a wide variety of outcome measures. The heterogeneity and retrospective design of the studies included in our research represent the main limitations of this review. More evidence is needed to fully assess outcome measures that could not be studied in this review due to scarcity of publications or insufficient sample size.

Are neonatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies different from those of singletons according to gestational age?

OBJECTIVES

Multiple pregnancies sustain the high pace of extreme prematurity. Little evidence is available about triplet gestation given the evolution in their management during the last decades. The aim of the study was to compare the neonatal outcomes of triplets with those of matched singletons in a cohort study.

METHODS

An observational retrospective cohort study of triplets and matched singletons born between 2004 and 2017 matched by gestational age was conducted. Additionally, the investigation performed in regard to data from the overall Greek population of interest. The primary outcome was mortality or severe neonatal morbidity based on pregnancy type.

RESULTS

A total of 237 triplets of 24-36 weeks' gestation and 482 matched singletons were included. No differences in the primary outcome between triplets and singletons were found. Rates of severe neonatal morbidities did not differ significantly between triplets and singletons. A threshold of 1000 gr for birthweight and 28 weeks' gestation for gestational age determined survival on triplets [OR: 0.08 (95% CI: 0.02-0.40, p=0.0020) and OR: 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03-0.57, p=0.0020) for gestational age and birthweight respectively]. In Greece stillbirths in triplets was 8 times higher than that of singletons (OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 6.9-10.5). From 3,375 triplets, 94 were stillborn, whereas in singletons, 4,659 out of 1,388,273. In our center 5 times more triplets than the expected average in Greece were delivered with no significant difference in stillbirths' rates.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were identified in mortality or major neonatal morbidities between triplets and matched singletons highlighting the significance of prematurity and birthweight for these outcomes.

Conjoined twins in a spontaneous monochorionic triplet pregnancy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Conjoined twins are a rare complication of monochorionic pregnancies and an extremely rare condition in spontaneous triplet pregnancies. We report a case of conjoined twins in a spontaneous monochorionic triplet pregnancy. The conjoined twins might have suffered from twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, which was reported to be extremely rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 26-year-old woman conceived spontaneously with an obstetric history of invasive mole 4 years ago.

DIAGNOSES

We initially misdiagnosed her as having monochorionic triamniotic triplets at 10 weeks of gestation. However, we confirmed conjoint twins with the monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy at 12 weeks of gestation and classified them as omphalopagus.

INTERVENTIONS

As the woman decided to continue the pregnancy, regular and careful antenatal care was conducted.

OUTCOMES

Unexpectedly, she had a stillbirth 3 weeks later and had to terminate the pregnancy at 15 weeks of gestation. After abortion, the diagnosis of omphalopagus was confirmed in the induced fetuses. Moreover, the skin colors of the conjoined twins were different: one was plethoric, and the other was pale. Additionally, the parents agreed to examine the chromosome of the fetuses, and the results were normal.

CONCLUSION

Dichorionic triplet and monochorionic triplet pregnancies have a poorer prognosis than trichorionic triplet pregnancies. Surgery is the main therapy for conjoined twins; however, most conjoined twins in triplet pregnancies cannot survive, including omphalopagus twins. The conjoined twins may have suffered from twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, which could probably not be diagnosed intrauterine. Transvaginal probe and 3-dimensional ultrasound may be helpful for clarifying the diagnosis in early pregnancy.