Publication:

Obstetric and perinatal outcome of twin pregnancy: a prospective study in a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background Multiple pregnancy constitutes an important portion of high risk pregnancies and is a matter of grave concern to obstetricians and paediatricians owing to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated to it. Objective of present study was to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcome of twin pregnancy.

Methods This observational study included 50 women with twin pregnancy with gestational age of 26 weeks or more. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were studied.

Results The incidence of twin pregnancy was 2.8 % with maximum incidence in age group of 20 -29 years and in multigravida. Mean gestational age was 34.2 weeks. Vertex - vertex fetal presentation was most common presentation. Most frequent mode of delivery was ceserean section (54%). Preterm labour was most common maternal complication (74%), followed by anaemia (62%). Complications in perinatal period were birth hypoxia (58 %), intrauterine growth restriction (15 %), hyper-bilirubinemia (11%) and neonatal sepsis (10 %). 88% of the newborns were LBW. Perinatal mortality in our study was 17%.

Conclusions Twin pregnancies are associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity which is more so for second twin. Effective antenatal care planned delivery and good pediatric facilities help decrease the complications. Managment of twin pregnancy requires multidisciplinary approach and involvement of skilled obstetricians and paediatricians.