OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to demonstrate the temporal trends in perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies over the last two decades. METHODS: The medical records of patients with triplet pregnancies at two Korean tertiary-care hospitals from 1992 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed in regard to maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study was divided into two periods for analysis: period I (1992–2001) and period II (2003–2012). RESULTS: Over a 21-year period, 65 women with triplet pregnancies and 185 neonates were analyzed. Period II, when compared with period I, was associated with improved maternal outcomes, characterized by a decreased incidence of preeclampsia (31.8% vs. 2.3%, P=0.002) and anemia (68.2% vs. 30.2%, P=0.003) during pregnancy. Regarding neonatal aspects, the composite morbidity of period II was significantly decreased compared with that of period I, as assessed with a generalized estimating equation for logistic regression (26.2% vs. 8.1%, P=0.03). Multivariable analysis revealed that the gestational age at delivery and the period were significantly associated with the composite neonatal morbidity (P<0.001 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Improved neonatal morbidity was associated with a higher gestational age at delivery and with the more recent decade.
Anemia ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies ; Triplets

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the fetal/infant mortality risk associated with each additional week of expectant management to that associated with immediate delivery in women with multiple gestations. METHODS: This was a retrospective national cohort study of 94,170 multiple deliveries, 92,619 (98.4%) twin and 1,352 (1.44%) triplet pregnancies, between 32 0/7 and 42 6/7 weeks of gestation recorded in the Korean vital statistics database. We investigated the risks of stillbirth and infant death after birth in Korea according to the week of gestation in twin and triplet pregnancies. RESULTS: The risk of stillbirth significantly increased between 34 and 35 weeks of gestation and between 37 and 38 weeks of gestation in twin pregnancies and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation in triplet pregnancies. The risk of infant death following delivery gradually decreased as pregnancies approached full term. Week-by-week differences were statistically significant between 33 and 34 weeks, with decreasing risks of infant death at advancing gestational ages in twin pregnancies. At 37 weeks of gestation, the relative risk of mortality was significantly higher with expectant management compared with immediate delivery (relative risk, 3.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–6.38). CONCLUSION: In twin pregnancies, delivery at 37 weeks of gestation can minimize the risks of stillbirth and infant death in uncomplicated cases, although individual maternal and fetal characteristics must be considered when determining the optimal timing of delivery. In multiple pregnancies, close fetal surveillance is needed after 34 weeks of gestation.
Cohort Studies* ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant Death* ; Infant* ; Korea ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple* ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Retrospective Studies ; Stillbirth* ; Twins ; Vital Statistics

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the accuracy of predicting amnionicity using the number of yolk sacs by diagnostic ultrasound examination in monochorionic (MC) multifetal pregnancies between 7 + 0 and 9 + 6 gestational weeks. A total of 97 patients with MC multifetal pregnancies underwent early ultrasound examination from 2004 to 2014 at Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center. All patients for whom the number of yolk sacs was reported were included in this study. We compared the number of yolk sacs with amnionicity confirmed by an intertwine membrane. Overall, there was a 9.3% (9 cases) discrepancy in number of yolk sacs and amnionicity (4.3% for monochorionic diamniotic, 36.4% for monochorionic monoamniotic, and 33% for monochorionic triamniotic). Among the 9 cases with discrepancies, 4 cases with 2 yolk sacs were confirmed as monoamniotic pregnancies and 4 MC twin pregnancies showing a single yolk sac were diagnosed as diamniotic twin pregnancies. One case with 2 yolk sacs was identified as a triamniotic triplet pregnancy. In 9.3% of MC gestations, the number of yolk sacs was not correlated with the number of amnions in our study. To determine amnionicity in MC multifetal pregnancies, we recommend careful evaluation not of the number of yolk sacs but the presence or absence of intertwine dividing membrane after 8 gestational weeks.
Amnion* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Membranes ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Twins ; Ultrasonography ; Yolk Sac*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of delayed interval delivery on neonatal outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of infants who were born at Seoul National University Hospital by delayed interval delivery from June 2005 to July 2010. Outcomes (neonatal mortality and morbidity) of later babies were compared to those of the first babies and the control group whose gestational ages and birth weights were similar to them. RESULTS: There were 4 twin and 5 triplet pregnancies. The first babies (group 1, n=9) were delivered at 22(+6) to 27(+5) weeks of gestational age, and the later babies (group 2, n=14) were born at 24(+6) to 28(+0) weeks. The mean interval between the first and later deliveries was 10 days, and there was no delay between the second and third deliveries in all triplet pregnancies. There were more small for gestational age (SGA) infants in group 1 than group 2 (66.7% and 21.4% respectively, P=0.03). Two of three babies who died in group 1 were born before 24 weeks of gestational age and expired within a week after birth. The mortality rate of group 2 (7.1%) was lower than group 1 (33.3%), but not significantly (P=0.106). The control group matched to group 2 consisted of 28 infants. There were no significant differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Although there is a limitation to the number of infants in this study, it suggested that delayed delivery in a multiple pregnancy could decrease the incidence of SGA of the remaining fetuses and that prolonged gestation would not be harmful to those fetuses after birth.
Birth Weight ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Retrospective Studies ; Twins

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perinatal outcomes and maternal complications associated with triplet pregnancies. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive triplet pregnancies delivered in ( )( )Hospital from 1997 to 2005 were reviewed for maternal and neonatal outcomes. Pregnancies associated with lethal congenital anomalies or the case that being delivered before 20 weeks of gestation were excluded. Neonatal outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage and low Apgar scores, congenital anomaly and so on. Maternal outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm delivery, anemia and blood transfusion and so on. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at delivery was 31.5+/-4.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight for triplets was 1,654.4+/-578.1 g. 31 of total 39 neonates (79.5%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and 9 neonates (23.1%) received mechanical ventilator care as well. Neonatal death occurred in 6 of 39 neonates (15.4%). Congenital anomaly was seen in 3 of 39 neonates (7.7%). Hyperbilirubinemia developed in 16 of 39 neonates (44.4%). Respiratory distress syndrome developed in 3 of 39 neonates (7.7%). The most common maternal complication was preterm labor (76.9%), followed by anemia (46.1%), preterm premature rupture of membrane (30.8%) and blood transfusion (7.7%). Five patients (5/13, 38.5%) received tocolytic therapy. CONCLUSION: The main cause of neonatal death in triplet pregnancies is the respiratory distress syndrome in extreme preterm delivery. The most common neonatal morbidities are hyperbilirubinemia and apnea of prematurity. There is no difference in neonatal outcomes according to birth order. The most common maternal complications are preterm delivery and anemia. The adverse outcomes of triplet pregnancies are mainly due to preterm delivery.
Anemia ; Apnea ; Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Blood Transfusion ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Rupture ; Tocolysis ; Triplets* ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perinatal outcomes and maternal complications associated with triplet pregnancies. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive triplet pregnancies delivered in ( )( )Hospital from 1997 to 2005 were reviewed for maternal and neonatal outcomes. Pregnancies associated with lethal congenital anomalies or the case that being delivered before 20 weeks of gestation were excluded. Neonatal outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage and low Apgar scores, congenital anomaly and so on. Maternal outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm delivery, anemia and blood transfusion and so on. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at delivery was 31.5+/-4.1 weeks, and the mean birth weight for triplets was 1,654.4+/-578.1 g. 31 of total 39 neonates (79.5%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and 9 neonates (23.1%) received mechanical ventilator care as well. Neonatal death occurred in 6 of 39 neonates (15.4%). Congenital anomaly was seen in 3 of 39 neonates (7.7%). Hyperbilirubinemia developed in 16 of 39 neonates (44.4%). Respiratory distress syndrome developed in 3 of 39 neonates (7.7%). The most common maternal complication was preterm labor (76.9%), followed by anemia (46.1%), preterm premature rupture of membrane (30.8%) and blood transfusion (7.7%). Five patients (5/13, 38.5%) received tocolytic therapy. CONCLUSION: The main cause of neonatal death in triplet pregnancies is the respiratory distress syndrome in extreme preterm delivery. The most common neonatal morbidities are hyperbilirubinemia and apnea of prematurity. There is no difference in neonatal outcomes according to birth order. The most common maternal complications are preterm delivery and anemia. The adverse outcomes of triplet pregnancies are mainly due to preterm delivery.
Anemia ; Apnea ; Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Blood Transfusion ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Rupture ; Tocolysis ; Triplets* ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Acardiac fetus in triplet pregnancy is a very rare, fatal congenital anomaly that had not been reported in Korea. It only occurs in multiple gestations associated with placental vascular anastomoses between the affected fetus and its co-twin. The major complications associated with acardiac fetus in triplet pregnancy are congestive heart failure in normal pumping fetus, maternal polyhydramnios, preterm labor, intrauterine fetal death, etc, and perinatal diagnosis can be made with the perinatal ultrasonographic examination. We report a case of acardiac fetus in a spontaneous triplet pregnancy at 23 weeks of gestational age with a brief review of the literature.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetus* ; Gestational Age ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Korea ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Polyhydramnios ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet* ; Triplets*

Globozoospermia is a rare type of teratozoospermia. It occurs in 0.1% of all andrological patient's and used to be considered sterile. Globozoospermic patient has 100% round headed spermatozoa, but the spermiogram is normal. The spermatozoa show oval-shape head, the lack of a nuclear envelope, acrosome, and post acrosomal sheath. OBJECTIVE: To report that a couple with infertility secondary to globozoospermia received ICSI treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: In the first trial, fertilization was failed. In the second trial, 40% of oocytes were fertilized and all of these embryos were cleaved, but pregnancy did not achieved. In the third trial, sperm injected oocytes were exposed to 10 micrometer calcium ionophore for 15 min. All of the injected oocytes were fertilized and proceeded to develop. Triplet pregnancy was achieved after the transfer of six embryos in their third cycle. One embryo vanished and the remaining twins (female) were delivered at 33 weeks of gestation by Caesarean section. CONCLUSION: This result shows that assisted activation following ICSI may overcome infertility associated with globozoospermia.
Acrosome ; Calcium ; Cesarean Section ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Head ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Nuclear Envelope ; Oocytes* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa* ; Twins

A complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a fetus is a rare condition, particularly when diagnosed after IVF-ET. In spite of the wide spread use of assisted reproductive technology, there have been, to our knowledge, only few reported cases of molar pregnancy after IVF-ET. At present, there are limited data to guide the antenatal management of a complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with fetuses. A complete mole can coexist with a normal, healthy fetus who can be carried to term, with good outcome. But, patients who desire to continue the pregnancy after such a diagnosis must be cautioned about the potential for severe medical complications and developing persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor. We report here a case of complete hydatidiform mole in a triplet pregnancy coexistent with two live fetuses following in IVF-ET.
Diagnosis ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Triplets* ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms

The present study was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in triplet and twin pregnancies with the result of ART(Assisted Reproductive Technology). Each pregnancy of 18 triplet pregnancies with 18 weeks or more was matched for maternal age, EDC(estimated date of confinement), parity, history of preterm delivery, indication of ART with two sets of twin pregnancies. Triplet pregnancies had a significantly shorter gestational age at delivery than twin pregnancies(30.4 versus 34.6 weeks), and a significantly lower mean birth weight(1,514 versus 2,286g). The mean hospital stay was significantly longer in triplets(22.3 versus 10.1 days). The incidences of 5 min Apgar score less than 7, neonatal deaths were significantly more often in triplets than twins; 18(33.3%) vs 6(8.3%), 15(27.8%) vs 7(9.72%), respectively. There were significant differences in the incidence of neonatal complications such as respiratory distress syndrome; 14(25.9%) vs 7(9.72%), ventilatory support; 18(33.3%) vs 5(6.9%), neonatal seizure; 9(16.7%) vs 0, btween the two groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in maternal complications or neonatal morbidity such as congenital malformations or hyperbilirubinemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We suggest that counseling patient regarding the anticipated perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies with the result of ART should be conducted with our data.
Apgar Score ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Counseling ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Length of Stay ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Seizures ; Triplets*