Publication:

Feto-maternal outcome in twin pregnancy

Background Natural higher orders multiple conceptions are uncommon. The reported incidence ranges from 0.01% to 0.07% of all pregnancies. Multiple births are much more common today than they were in the past. Throughout the world, the prevalence of twin births varies from approximately 2-20 /1000 birth. Overall complications occur in approximately 83% of twin pregnancies as compared to 25% in singleton pregnancies. This delayed childbearing has resulted in an increased maternal age at conception.

Methods Present study is a randomized prospective study of 100 cases of twin pregnancies admitted at our institute from July, 2009 to October, 2011 including all emergency as well as registered cases. . Patients included in this study were from various socio-economic classes and they were having a different level of education. In all cases a detailed history was taken, all routine and specific investigations were done.

Results In this prospective study we observed 100 cases of twin pregnancies. In this study most of the patients (46%) delivered at 33- 36 weeks of gestation. 5%of patients had abortion at an early gestation. Majority of the patients delivered vaginally (61%), followed by LSCS (Lower Segment Caesarean Section) (38%). In this study low birth weight babies were the most common (188 babies) to the extent of 94%. We had 11% (22) extremely low birth weight babies. There were 13 neonatal deaths (6.5%). We observed the highest incidence of twins in the age group of 20 -29 years. The least were below the age of 20 years. The incidence among primigravida and multigravida was almost the same.

Conclusions Most of the complications in multiple gestations are preventable. High risk units in the obstetric ward and well developed NICU set up would reduce the maternal, perinatal morbidity and mortality.