ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine if the rate of preeclampsia is increased
in triplet as compared to twin gestations. Fifty-three triplet pregnancies between
1986 and 1993 at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center were reviewed. These
were matched for maternal age, parity, and race to twin gestations (N = 53) from the same population. Severe preeclampsia was defined by standard criteria.
Student's t-test, Fisher exact test, and Chi-square were used for statistical analysis. The rate
of severe preeclampsia was increased significantly in the triplet group 12 of 53 (22.6%)
as compared with the twin group 3 of 53 (5.7%) (OR = 4.9, 95% Cl 1.2-23.5, p = 0.02). The rate of overall preeclampsia was not significantly different in the
triplet 18 of 53 (33.96%) or twin 12 of 53 (22.6%) groups. In this retrospective,
case-controlled study, the rate of severe preeclampsia was significantly increased
in triplet gestations as compared to twins although the overall rate of preeclampsia
was not. This information may be useful in counseling patients with high order multifetal
gestations.
Keywords
Triplets, multiple gestations - preeclampsia