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Triplet Pregnancy: A 10-Year Review of 105 Cases at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

C.A. Crowther  and
R.A. Hamilton
C.A. Crowther*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Harare Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe
R.A. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Harare Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe
*
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Queen Victoria Hospital, Rose Park, South Australia 5067

Abstract

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During the 10-year period, 1975-1984, 105 triplet pregnancies were delivered at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe, among 286,338 pregnancies in the Greater Harare Unit, giving an incidence of triplets of 1:2,727. The mean gestational age at delivery was 32.5 wk with 81 women (77.1%) delivering before 37 wk. Primigravidas delivered at a significantly earlier mean gestational age (P < 0.05) and had a higher perinatal mortality (P < 0.001) compared with grand multigravidas. Of the 315 babies, 277 (87.9%) weighed < 2500 g. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 327‰, with a pernital mortality rate of 146‰ for infants weighing ≥ 1000 g. Women hospitalised for bed rest during the antenatal period had fewer perinatal deaths compared with those diagnosed during the antenatal period, but not hospitalised for bed rest (P < 0.02). No difference was found in the mean gestational age at delivery or the mean birth weights between these two groups. Among infants ≥ 28 wk gestation there were fewer perinatal deaths in triplets delivered by cesarean section compared with triplets delivered vaginally (P < 0.0004). This suggests that cesarean section may offer the optimal mode of delivery in triplet pregnancy.

Keywords

TripletsBed restPerinatal mortalityMode of delivery
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 38 , Issue 3-4 , October 1989 , pp. 271 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1989

References

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