Maternal morbidity on 147 triplets: single institution experience

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of maternal complications in triple pregnancies. An additional objective was to study the relation between assisted reproductive techniques and maternal complications. Material and methods: Retrospective study on 147 triplets assisted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics department of La Paz University Hospital between 2000 and 2010. We analyzed the incidence of maternal complications and their relation to assisted reproductive techniques. Results: One triplet was observed every 711 pregnancies. The most frequent maternal complications were spontaneous preterm labor (56%), premature rupture of membranes (28.9%), anemia (24.4%) and preeclampsia (20.4%). Triplets conceived by assisted reproductive techniques were significantly more likely to develop spontaneous preterm labor than spontaneous pregnancies (60% vs. 40%, respectively; p = 0.045). Conclusions: Triplets have a very high risk of maternal complications such as preeclampsia. Moreover, the presence of spontaneous preterm labor is more frequent in triplets conceived by assisted reproductive techniques than in those spontaneously conceived.