Delayed interval delivery in twin and triplet pregnancies: 6 years of experience in one perinatal center.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to know the outcome of delayed-interval delivery for twin and triplet pregnancies at 22+0 to 25+0 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort of twin and triplet deliveries at the 23rd to 26th weeks of gestation were managed with delayed interval delivery from 2005 to 2011.

RESULTS: From 2005 until 2011, delayed delivery in five twin pregnancies and two triplet pregnancies were performed. The interval between delivery of the first fetus and the remaining twin/triplets was 1-18 days (mean, 9.7 days). In all cases, the first fetus was born vaginally. Survival of the first twin/triplet was 14.3%, whereas 57.1% of the second born twin/triplets survived. Birth weight gained due to delayed delivery was 131 g on average. No severe maternal complications were observed. When compared with a gestation age-matched group, where the delay was not possible, the delayed twin/triplet had a higher survival rate (57.1% vs. 0%, P=0.05).

CONCLUSION: In multiple pregnancies with preterm delivery between completed 22 and completed 25 weeks of gestational age, delayed delivery seems to be a useful therapeutic option to achieve a better outcome of the remaining fetus or fetuses.