Triplets and quadruplets in Switzerland: comparison with singletons, and evolution over the last decade

Abstract

The incidence of higher-order multiple births in Switzerland dropped for quadruplets in the last decade but has increased for triplets. The mortality and morbidity of triplets is comparable to that of singletons with a similar gestational age.

Trichorionic Quadruplet Delivered Beyond 36 Weeks of Gestation: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Compared with mothers of twins, mothers of triplets and quadruplets were more likely to be diagnosed with preterm premature rupture of membranes, have excessive bleeding, delivered at less than 29 weeks of gestation, and to have one or more infants die [8]. The gestational age at delivery for quadruplets varied in different reports, ranging from 28 weeks to 31 weeks [1, 2]. Few reports claimed 34 weeks as the gestational age at which delivery took place [9, 10].…”

“…The review also showed that respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was the major morbidity as it was diagnosed in 52% of triplets and 81% of quadruplets [1]. Others have reported similar trends of outcome with RDS occurring in up to 23% of triplets and 65% of quadruplets [12].…”

“…In a review of 112 multiple pregnancies to determine the maternal and neonatal outcome of multifetal pregnancies under a conservative pregnancy management, mortality and morbidity in triplets and higher-order multiples (quadruplets and quintuplets) were related to preterm delivery and did not exceed the rates of singletons or twins of an identical gestational age [12]. In a large study of multiple pregnancies that involved all Swiss hospitals, a comparison of triplets with matched singletons showed no significant differences in morbidity and mortality [1]. Our case was a good example of this, as she did not sustain any of these complications, and this could simply be due to the advanced gestational age she reached.…”

“…Quadruplet pregnancy is considered a very high-risk pregnancy due to the multiple potential complications that include, but not limited to, preterm delivery with a median gestational age at delivery ranging between 28 and 31 weeks [1, 2], increased perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality [2–5], and intrauterine growth restriction [3]. Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a potential lethal complication that can affect 10% to 30% of Monochorionic twins [6, 7].…”

Embarazo Triple: Complicaciones Maternas Y Perinatales

“…La incidencia natural del embarazo triple varía según factores genéticos y geográficos entre 1 en 3.247 a 1 en 9.828 embarazos (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). En 1958, Geza Kart escribe como introducción para un artí-culo sobre 21 casos: "Por la rareza de los nacimientos triples, la atracción humana por tal suceso es mayor que su importancia práctica".…”