Triplet pregnancy in Nigeria: socio-biologic aspects.

A retrospective analysis of 20 triplet pregnancies not stimulated by clomiphene or gonadotrophins revealed a perinatal mortality of 26.3%. There were greater losses recorded in the case of mothers who had received no antenatal care than for those who had been seen before the babies' births. Triplet pregnancy in this series was associated with anemia, hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage and hydramnios. In Nigeria, where there is a high incidence of such pregnancy, it should be suspected more often than elsewhere. The authors recommend amnioscopy, amniocentesis and early resort to cesarean section as part of the antenatal regimen, with careful management of the third stage of labor to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.