[Multiple pregnancy as a cause of premature delivery].

Authors analysed management, complications and outcome of 13 multifetal pregnancies (11 triplet and 2 quadruplet), their duration, the way of delivery, indications for cesarean section and perinatal mortality rate. A majority of the multifetal pregnancies were diagnosed before the end of 20 weeks gestation, and 69.2% of women had cervical cerclages. Tocolysis was used in 9 cases (69.2%). The mean gestational age at delivery was 32.8 weeks. Cesarean section was performed in nine cases (29 neonates). Of the 41 neonates there were 2 stillbirth (4.88%) and 3 neonatal death (7.31%). In 87.9% of cases, delivery occurred before the end of 37 weeks gestation. The most common maternal complications were toxemia (23.1%) and anemia (46.2%).