Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancies in Prapokklao Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of twin pregnancies in Prapokklao Hospital.

Materials and Methods: The outcomes of 151 women with twin pregnancies delivered at Prapokklao Hospital between 1^st January 2004 and 31^st December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The maternal and neonatal data were obtained from the medical records. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results: The prevalence of twin deliveries at Prapokklao Hospital was 6.89 per 1,000 live births. The diagnosis of twin pregnancies in the antepartum period was made in 70.2% of cases. Cesarean section was the most common route of delivery. The three leading pregnancy complications were preterm delivery, anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, with a prevalence of 62.9%, 23.8% and 13.9%, respectively. There was no maternal death. In pregnancies with gestational age less than thirty-four weeks, only ten (11.1%) received corticosteroid therapy before delivery. Forty-one (43.2%) preterm cases recieved the antibiotics for group B streptococcal prophylaxis before delivery. The three most common neonatal complications were low birthweight (73.2%), an Apgar score less than 7 at 1 minute (13.9%), and sepsis (11.6%). There were 5 neonatal deaths and 11 stillbirths. Eighty one percent of the death occurred in preterm fetuses. The perinatal mortality rate was 53.0 per 1,000 births.

Conclusion: Preterm delivery was the most common complication of twin pregnancies and was the leading cause of perinatal mortality. Prevention of preterm labor and improvement of neonatal care may improve outcomes in twin pregnancies.