The effect of plurality and gestation on the prevention or postponement of infant mortality: 1989-1991 versus 1999-2001

Maternal, Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes of Triplet Pregnancies According to Chorionicity: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis

Triplet pregnancies are rare events that affect approximately 93 in 100,000 deliveries in the world, especially due to the increased use of assisted reproductive techniques and older maternal age. Triplet pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality compared to twins and singletons. Chorionicity has been proposed as a major determinant of perinatal and maternal outcomes in triplet pregnancies, although further evidence is needed to clarify the extent and real influence of this factor. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the maternal and perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies, evaluating how chorionicity may influence these results. A total of 46 studies with 43,653 triplet pregnancies and 128,145 live births were included. Among the main results of our study, we found a broad spectrum of fetal and maternal complications, especially in the group of monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies. Risk of admission to NICU, respiratory distress, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, perinatal and intrauterine mortality were all found to be higher in non-TCTA pregnancies than in TCTA pregnancies. To date, our meta-analysis includes the largest population sample and number of studies conducted in this field, evaluating a wide variety of outcome measures. The heterogeneity and retrospective design of the studies included in our research represent the main limitations of this review. More evidence is needed to fully assess outcome measures that could not be studied in this review due to scarcity of publications or insufficient sample size.

17-Hydroxyprogesterone caproate in triplet pregnancy: an individual patient data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth complicates almost all triplet pregnancies and no preventive strategy has proven effective.

OBJECTIVE

To determine, using individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis, whether the outcome of triplet pregnancy is affected by prophylactic administration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHPc).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched literature databases, trial registries and references in published articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of progestogens versus control that included women with triplet pregnancies.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Investigators from identified RCTs collaborated on the protocol and contributed their IPD. The primary outcome was a composite measure of adverse perinatal outcome. The secondary outcome was the rate of birth before 32 weeks of gestation. Other pre-specified outcomes included randomisation-to-delivery interval and rates of birth at <24, <28 and <34 weeks of gestation.

MAIN RESULTS

Three RCTs of 17OHPc versus placebo included 232 mothers with triplet pregnancies and their 696 offspring. Risk-of-bias scores and between-study heterogeneity were low. Baseline characteristics were comparable between 17OHPc and placebo groups. The rate of the composite adverse perinatal outcome was similar among those treated with 17OHPc and those treated with placebo (34 and 35%, respectively; risk ratio [RR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.79-1.2). The rate of birth at <32 weeks was also similar in the two groups (35 and 38%, respectively; RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.55-1.56). There were no significant between-group differences in perinatal mortality rate, randomisation-to-delivery interval, or other specified outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic 17OHPc given to mothers with triplet pregnancies had no significant impact on perinatal outcome or pregnancy duration.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

17-Hydroxyprogesterone caproate had no significant impact on the outcome or duration of triplet pregnancy.

Disparities in mortality rates among US infants born late preterm or early term, 2003-2005

The purpose of this study was to identify disparities in neonatal, post-neonatal, and overall infant mortality rates among infants born late preterm (34-36 weeks gestation) and early term (37-38 weeks gestation) by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality. In analyses of 2003-2005 data from US period linked birth/infant death datasets, we compared infant mortality rates by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality among infants born late preterm or early term and also determined the leading causes of death among these infants. Among infants born late preterm, infants born to American Indian/Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic black, or teenage mothers had the highest infant mortality rates per 1,000 live births (14.85, 9.90, and 11.88 respectively). Among infants born early term, corresponding mortality rates were 5.69, 4.49, and 4.82, respectively. Among infants born late preterm, singletons had a higher infant mortality rate than twins (8.59 vs. 5.62), whereas among infants born early term, the rate was higher among twins (3.67 vs. 3.15). Congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome were the leading causes of death among both late preterm and early term infants. Infant mortality rates among infants born late preterm or early term varied substantially by maternal race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality. Information about these disparities may help in the development of clinical practice and prevention strategies targeting infants at highest risk.

Co-bedding as a Comfort measure For Twins undergoing painful procedures (CComForT Trial)

Background

Co-bedding, a developmental care strategy, is the practice of caring for diaper clad twins in one incubator (versus separating and caring for each infant in separate incubators), thus creating the opportunity for skin-to-skin contact and touch between the twins. In studies of mothers and their infants, maternal skin-to-skin contact has been shown to decrease procedural pain response according to both behavioral and physiological indicators in very preterm neonates. It is uncertain if this comfort is derived solely from maternal presence or from stabilization of regulatory processes from direct skin contact. The intent of this study is to compare the comfort effect of co-bedding (between twin infants who are co-bedding and those who are not) on infant pain response and physiologic stability during a tissue breaking procedure (heelstick).

Methods/Design

Medically stable preterm twin infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be randomly assigned to a co-bedding group or a standard care group. Pain response will be measured by physiological and videotaped facial reaction using the Premature Infant Pain Profile scale (PIPP). Recovery from the tissue breaking procedure will be determined by the length of time for heart rate and oxygen saturation to return to baseline. Sixty four sets of twins (n = 128) will be recruited into the study. Analysis and inference will be based on the intention-to-treat principle.

Discussion

If twin contact while co-bedding is determined to have a comforting effect for painful procedures, then changes in current neonatal care practices to include co-bedding may be an inexpensive, non invasive method to help maintain physiologic stability and decrease the long term psychological impact of procedural pain in this high risk population. Knowledge obtained from this study will also add to existing theoretical models with respect to the exact mechanism of comfort through touch.

Trial registration

NCT00917631

A population-based study of effect of multiple birth on infant mortality in Nigeria

Background

Multi-foetal pregnancies and multiple births including twins and higher order multiples births such as triplets and quadruplets are high-risk pregnancy and birth. These high-risk groups contribute to the higher rate of childhood mortality especially during early period of life.

Methods

We examined the relationship between multiple births and infant mortality using univariable and multivariable survival regression procedure with Weibull hazard function, controlling for child's sex, birth order, prenatal care, delivery assistance; mother's age at child birth, nutritional status, education level; household living conditions and several other risk factors.

Results

Children born multiple births were more than twice as likely to die during infancy as infants born singleton (hazard ratio = 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.50, 3.19) holding other factors constant. Maternal education and household asset index were associated with lower risk of infant mortality.

Conclusion

Multiple births are strongly negatively associated with infant survival in Nigeria independent of other risk factors. Mother's education played a protective role against infant death. This evidence suggests that improving maternal education may be key to improving child survival in Nigeria. A well-educated mother has a better chance of satisfying important factors that can improve infant survival: the quality of infant feeding, general care, household sanitation, and adequate use of preventive and curative health services.