A previous study from our institution (Obstet Gynecol 1992;80:436) had shown that very low birth weight twins (TW) had comparable discharge outcomes to singletons of similar birth weight (BW) and gestational ages (GA). Data are scarce for outcomes of higher order multiples (HOM). Our aim is to describe outcomes of preterm multiple births at discharge and compare TW [n=342] to HOM[triplets (n=96) and quadruplets (n=12)]. Data were collected for all consecutive multiple births between 1/1/90 to 11/30/96. Statistical analyses were done using chi square or student's t test, as appropriate. Race and gender distribution in the two groups were comparable. Mortality for TW and HOM was not significantly different, 5% for TW and 1.9% for HOM. Outcomes data are shown in the table as mean ± sem or percentages. (*p < 0.05, †p < 0.0001). [PS = prenatal steroids, CS = Cesarean section, LOS = length of stay]

Table 1
Full size table

No differences were seen between TW and HOM for IUGR status, surfactant use, incidence of PDA, IVH, NEC, PVL, ROP or BPD. For similar GA, HOM had increased use of PS and increased delivery by CS, as well as better Apgar scores than TW. However, HOM were noted to have a longer need for CPAP and a longer hospitalization, which may be related to their smaller size at birth.