Triplet pregnancy: a 10-year review of 105 cases at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe. 1989

C A Crowther, and R A Hamilton
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe.

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 less than 0.05) and had a higher perinatal mortality (P less than 0.001) compared with grand multigravidas. Of the 315 babies, 277 (87.9%) weighed less than 2500 g. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 327%, with a perinatal mortality rate of 146% for infants weighing greater than or equal to 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 less than 0.02). No difference was found in the mean gestational age at delivery or the mean birth weights between these two groups. Among infants greater than or equal to 28 wk gestation there were fewer perinatal deaths in triplets delivered by cesarean section compared with triplets delivered vaginally (P less than 0.0004). This suggests that cesarean section may offer the optimal mode of delivery in triplet pregnancy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007226 Infant Mortality Postnatal deaths from BIRTH to 365 days after birth in a given population. Postneonatal mortality represents deaths between 28 days and 365 days after birth (as defined by National Center for Health Statistics). Neonatal mortality represents deaths from birth to 27 days after birth. Neonatal Mortality,Mortality, Infant,Postneonatal Mortality,Infant Mortalities,Mortalities, Infant,Mortalities, Neonatal,Mortalities, Postneonatal,Mortality, Neonatal,Mortality, Postneonatal,Neonatal Mortalities,Postneonatal Mortalities
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011256 Pregnancy Outcome Results of conception and ensuing pregnancy, including LIVE BIRTH; STILLBIRTH; or SPONTANEOUS ABORTION. The outcome may follow natural or artificial insemination or any of the various ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES, such as EMBRYO TRANSFER or FERTILIZATION IN VITRO. Outcome, Pregnancy,Outcomes, Pregnancy,Pregnancy Outcomes
D011295 Prenatal Care Care provided the pregnant woman in order to prevent complications, and decrease the incidence of maternal and prenatal mortality. Antenatal Care,Care, Antenatal,Care, Prenatal
D002585 Cesarean Section Extraction of the FETUS by means of abdominal HYSTEROTOMY. Abdominal Delivery,Delivery, Abdominal,C-Section (OB),Caesarean Section,Postcesarean Section,Abdominal Deliveries,C Section (OB),C-Sections (OB),Caesarean Sections,Cesarean Sections,Deliveries, Abdominal
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001510 Bed Rest Confinement of an individual to bed for therapeutic or experimental reasons. Bedrest,Bed Rests,Bedrests,Rest, Bed,Rests, Bed

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