The outcome of triplet pregnancies at Hartford Hospital--1989-1996.

The advent of artificial induction of ovulation has increased the incidence of triplet pregnancies. Although the outcome of triplet pregnancies has improved through advanced technology, several studies have suggested that triplets conceived by artificial induction of ovulation have worse prenatal and perinatal outcomes than those conceived naturally. Our study examined the outcome of 14 sets of triplets conceived at Hartford Hospital between 1989 and 1996. Five of 14 sets of triplets were conceived by artificial methods and nine of 14 were conceived naturally. The mean gestational age was 31.8 weeks for artificially conceived infants vs 29.7 weeks for naturally conceived infants. Average weight at birth was 1.625 kg in the artificially conceived study group and 1.377 kg in the naturally conceived group. Time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit was 4.67 weeks for the artificially conceived study group and 3.57 weeks for the naturally conceived group. It is concluded that there was no difference in outcome in the triplets conceived by artificial induction of ovulation vs natural conception. Maternal age and sex of triplets were important factors determining perinatal outcomes of triplets.