Q: What are the most common complications my multiple birth infants will face?
A: Infant complications generally depend on the delivery gestation. If a mom delivers at 35 weeks, the babies may just need a little time to feed and grow. However, if delivery occurs between 23- 28 weeks, the babies would face significantly more challenges and spend many more days in the NICU.
Babies born prematurely frequently experience problems coordinating the sucking, swallowing, and breathing process which may mean the infant requires a feeding tube. Other medical complications of multiple births include jaundice, breathing problems requiring intubation or surfactant treatment for lungs, and blood transfusions.
Although not as frequent, more serious complications such as intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and infection can occur especially if delivery is before 30 weeks.
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