Abstract
Babies of multiple pregnancies born <29 weeks have a higher neonatal mortality rate than singletons. This study investigated whether there is also a higher rate of disability in survivors of multiple pregnancies.
We compared the outcome of 65 multiple and 277 singleton babies born before 29 weeks gestation in 1984-1986 to mothers in a geographically defined region (33,500 births/year). At 28 weeks gestation there was no difference in the rate of survival to 28 days for multiples, 13/17 (77%) and singletons, 67/85 (79%). Under 28 weeks however, only 7 of 48 (15%) multiples survived compared to 81 of 192 (42%) singletons
The result of a neuro-developmental assessment on 153 of the 164 children who survived to four years was summarized by a five point scale of functional ability: 1=normal to 5=severe disability. At 28 weeks gestation, the proportion of survivors graded 4 and 5 on the scale was similar, multiples 4/12 (33%) and singletons 16/60 (27%). However, under 28 weeks none of the 7 multiple survivors was normal (grade 1 or 2) compared to 22/74 (30%) of singletons.
As mortality at very low gestation decreases, the outcome of survivors, particularly from multiple pregnancies, needs to be carefully assessed.
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Johnson, A., Townshend, P., Yudkin, P. et al. A COMPARISON OF THE OUTCOME OF SINGLETON AND MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES BORN BEFORE 29 WEEKS OF GESTATION. Pediatr Res 32, 620 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00092
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00092
