Publication:

Twin pregnancies: a retrospective analysis

Background This study aims to analyse the maternal and neonatal complications in twin pregnancy at tertiary institute.

Methods This was a retrospective study of multiple pregnancies after 26 weeks gestation at a tertiary teaching hospital between January 2020 to December 2020. Maternal and neonatal data was collected from the labour room delivery register and NICU records.

Results Out of 1212 births during this period, 66 were twin pregnancies with an incidence of 5.54%. Most of women had twinning after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment (77.27%). Thirty-seven (56.06%) women were in the age group of 21-30 years and primigravida contributed to 63.63% of all twin pregnancies. Maternal complications most frequently noticed was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in 27 (40.90%) women, Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in 24 (36.36%) women, preterm rupture of membranes (PROM)/ preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in 21 (31.18%) women, Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP) in 4 (6.06%) women, hypothyroidism in 12 (18.8.1%) women and antepartum hemorrhage (APH) in 4 (6.06%). Caesarean section was performed on 49 (74.25%) women with abnormal presentation as indication in 18 (36.73%). 80.30% women had preterm delivery with 86 (65.15 %) neonates having NICU admission. There was no maternal mortality and 1 (1,16 %) perinatal mortality in NICU admitted neonates.

Conclusions This study reveals with increasing ART treatment the incidence of twin pregnancies is increasing along with its maternal complications like hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, GDM and preterm delivery. Frequent antenatal care for early detection of complications, multi-disciplinary approach is key for favourable outcome.