Neonatal and maternal outcomes in twins and higher order multiples, a retrospective study in Isfahan, Iran

Background: With the extensive use of assisted reproductive technologies and increasing maternal age,multiple pregnancies have a remarkable ۲-۴% incidence today. These unique pregnanciesbring about various maternal and neonatal complications, which this study aims to assess.Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, data on ۱۵۰ multiple births in the year ۲۰۱۷ in twomain neonatology referral hospitals was gathered and analyzed.Results: Rates of respiratory distress syndrome and chronic lung disease were significantly higher intriplets and quadruplets than in twins. Triplets and quadruplets had a longer hospitalizationstay and higher mortality rate compared to twins. Maternal hypothyroidism was significantlymore common in mothers of twins.Conclusion: Triplets and Higher order pregnancies are born at lower gestational age, with lowergestational weight, and are at greater risks for specific neonatal complications and infantmortality than twins. These pregnancies tend to affect the mother as well. Although theincidence of hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus was not different between themothers of twins and higher order multiples, mothers who bore twins tended to be moreaffected by hypothyroidism.

کلیدواژه ها:

Multiple birth ، neonate ، outcome ، twin ، triplet