Delayed interval delivery in twin and triplet pregnancies: 6 years of experience in one perinatal center.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to know the outcome of delayed-interval delivery for twin and triplet pregnancies at 22+0 to 25+0 weeks of gestation.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort of twin and triplet deliveries at the 23rd to 26th weeks of gestation were managed with delayed interval delivery from 2005 to 2011.

RESULTS

From 2005 until 2011, delayed delivery in five twin pregnancies and two triplet pregnancies were performed. The interval between delivery of the first fetus and the remaining twin/triplets was 1-18 days (mean, 9.7 days). In all cases, the first fetus was born vaginally. Survival of the first twin/triplet was 14.3%, whereas 57.1% of the second born twin/triplets survived. Birth weight gained due to delayed delivery was 131 g on average. No severe maternal complications were observed. When compared with a gestation age-matched group, where the delay was not possible, the delayed twin/triplet had a higher survival rate (57.1% vs. 0%, P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

In multiple pregnancies with preterm delivery between completed 22 and completed 25 weeks of gestational age, delayed delivery seems to be a useful therapeutic option to achieve a better outcome of the remaining fetus or fetuses.