Perinatal Outcome of Twins Compared to Singletons of the Same Gestational Age: A Case-Control Study (original) (raw)

A Matched Cohort Comparison of the Outcome of Twin Versus Singleton Pregnancies in Flanders, Belgium

Twin Research, 2003

were compared to singletons, matched for gestational age, fetal sex and maternal parity, resulting in 4384 infants in each group. Above 32 weeks of gestation, birthweight was significantly lower in twins (2095 ± 364 g versus 2315 ± 523 g; p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 193 to 246 g). Perinatal mortality was also significantly lower in twins (1.98% versus 1.26%; odds ratio for twins 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.53-0.75; p < 0.001 ), this was mostly due to fetal and not to early neonatal mortality. Congenital malformations occurred less frequently in twins (2.5% versus 3.7%; odds ratio for twins 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.92; p = 0.001). From gestational age of 32 weeks on, respiratory distress syndrome was less frequent in twins (6.7% versus 8.0%; odds ratio for twins 0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.97; p = 0.011 ). No significant differences were noted with regard to intraventricular haemorrhage, neonatal infections and retinopathy of prematurity. Although twins have a lower birthweight, their outcome is more favorable compared to singletons, when matched for gestational age.

Mortality of Twins and Singletons by Gestational Age: A Varying-Coefficient Approach

American Journal of Epidemiology, 2000

This study used data from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry between 1982 and 1995 to address the question of whether there is higher mortality in twins in relation to singletons of the same gestational age and to examine the optimal gestational age range for twins. A "varying-coefficient approach" was adopted to estimate the gestational age-specific relative and absolute risks of mortality in twins and singletons, adjusting for size at birth and risk factors of short gestational duration. The models showed that twins born between 29 and 37 weeks of gestation had lower mortality than did singletons of the same gestational age. Twins born at older gestational age had higher mortality than did their singleton counterparts, because longer gestational duration was more advantageous to singletons than to twins. Without adjustment for size at birth, there was an upturn of mortality in twins born after 38 weeks. It is postulated that twins have better health than singletons initially, but they could not enjoy the benefit of a longer gestational duration as much as singletons could. The optimal gestational age for twins appeared to be 37-39 weeks according to neonatal and infant mortality.

Maternal and Neonatal Variables in Twins: an Epidemiological Approach

Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research, 1996

Population studies on human twinning are scarce in Argentina. In order to analyze frequencies and certain maternal and neonatal variables related to twin births, we studied a series of 69.678 consecutive newborns with 500 g of weight and over, which occurred at a public hospital in the province Buenos Aires, during 14 years (1982-1995). The frequency of twin births (10 per 1000 deliveries) and sex ratio were similar to other studies reported in Caucasian population. Maternal age and order of gravity/parity were positively correlated with twinning rates, more markedly so in dissimilar sex-pairs. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths were more frequent in twins than in singletons, but less frequent when comparing groups of same weight. Congenital malformations were not found to be significantly more frequent in twins than in the total newborn population. However, their occurrence, predominantly in like-sexed pairs and the concordance for defect type in doubly affected same-sex pairs, sugges...

Multicentric Multiple Pregnancy Study II : Perinatal Mortality in Twins

2011

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between perinatal mortality and clinical demographic characteristics in twin pregnancies. Methods: A questionnary and data obtained from 15 obstetrics centers was used to show the relationship between perinatal mortality and maternal age, parity, maternal morbidity, gestational week at delivery, mode of delivery, fetal or newborn’s weight and sex in twin pregnancies, delivered between the period of 2003 and 2004. Chi-square, Fischer’s exact and Student’s t tests are used for statistical analyses. Results: Perinatal mortality ratio was 107 per thousand in twins. A chance of delivery without fetal or neonatal mortality was assessed in 85% of the twin pregnancies. Mortality was high in cases born before 30th gestational week, and less than 1000g, also in twins with the same sex, in females, in discordant for growth and in small ones. Conclusion: According to the results of 15 different national obstetrics centers, mortali...

Perinatal Outcome of the Second Twin

Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2015

Apgar score and admission to neonatal intensive care unit of the first and the second twins were studied in relation to the gestational age, chorionicity, mode of delivery, interdelivery interval and birth weight. Mc Nemars test was used with 0.05 as the level of significance. Results: Among 60 sets of twins, Apgar score of the second twin was found to be lower than the first one (p=0.02) in general and in preterm gestation (p=0.049), dichorionic diamniotic chorionicity (p=0.012), vaginal delivery (p<0.001), inter-delivery interval of <30 minutes (p=0.007) and birth weight discordance of <30 % (p=0.014). Admission to neonatal intensive care unit was not significant (p=0.5). Conclusions: Second twin had low Apgar score and the neonatal admission rate was similar for both twins.

Perinatal mortality and morbidity in twin pregnancies: the relation between chorionicity and gestational age at birth

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2012

Aim To investigate perinatal mortality and morbidity rates of twin pregnancies and to determine the underlying factors responsible for the increase in these rates. Methods Records of 300 twin pregnancies which have been followed in our clinic between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Perinatal mortality and morbidity rates, zygocity, chorionicity, gestational age at delivery, route of conception, birth weight, route of delivery, fetal gender and cesarean rates were investigated. Results A total of 16,549 deliveries have been reviewed and 2.9% (n = 484) of these were detected to be twin deliveries. Perinatal mortality, adjusted perinatal mortality, fetal loss, neonatal mortality and perinatal morbidity rates were 7.5, 6.9, 3, 5.8 and 15.4%, respectively. The principal causes of perinatal mortality were prematurity, fetal demise and congenital abnormalities. The main cause of morbidity was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In neonatal period 28% of newborns needed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 12.1% received positive pressured ventilation (PPV). Perinatal mortality and morbidity rates were found to be independent from zygocity, instead they were closely linked with chorionicity. Perinatal mortality and morbidity were higher if maternal age was under 18 and over 35, and were not eVected by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), discordance between twins or RDS prophylaxis. Conclusion Twin pregnancies have higher perinatal mortality and morbidity rates and potential obstetrical complications compared to singleton pregnancies, therefore should be monitored more intensely, appropriate precautions should be taken against obstetrical complications, especially before 31-32 weeks of gestation, deliveries should be performed in referral centers with competent NICUs.

Perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies complicated by maternal morbidity: evidence from the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2018

Background: Twin pregnancy was associated with significantly higher rates of adverse neonatal and perinatal outcomes, especially for the second twin. In addition, the maternal complications (potentially life-threatening conditions-PLTC, maternal near miss-MNM, and maternal mortality-MM) are directly related to twin pregnancy and independently associated with adverse perinatal outcome. The objective of the preset study is to evaluate perinatal outcomes associated with twin pregnancies, stratified by severe maternal morbidity and order of birth. Methods: Secondary analysis of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHOMCS), a cross-sectional study implemented in 29 countries. Data from 8568 twin deliveries were compared with 308,127 singleton deliveries. The occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes and maternal complications were assessed. Factors independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes were reported with adjusted PR (Prevalence Ratio) and 95%CI. Results: The occurrence of severe maternal morbidity and maternal death was significantly higher among twin compared to singleton pregnancies in all regions. Twin deliveries were associated with higher rates of preterm delivery (37.1%), Apgar scores less than 7 at 5th minute (7.8 and 10.1% respectively for first and second twins), low birth weight (53.2% for the first and 61.1% for the second twin), stillbirth (3.6% for the first and 5.7% for the second twin), early neonatal death (3.5% for the first and 5.2% for the second twin), admission to NICU (23.6% for the first and 29.3% for the second twin) and any adverse perinatal outcomes (67% for the first twin and 72.3% for the second). Outcomes were consistently worse for the second twin across all outcomes. Poisson multiple regression analysis identified several factors independently associated with an adverse perinatal outcome, including both maternal complications and twin pregnancy. Conclusion: Twin pregnancy is significantly associated with severe maternal morbidity and with worse perinatal outcomes, especially for the second twin.

Term perinatal mortality and morbidity in monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies: A retrospective study

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2008

Aim. Perinatal mortality and morbidity in monochorionic (MC) twins appears to be increasing compared to dichorionic (DC) twins. The aim of our study was to determine the difference in perinatal mortality and morbidity in MC and DC twins born after 37 weeks' gestation. Design. A retrospective, cross-sectional study of medical records. Setting. Large tertiary care centre in the Netherlands. Population. All twins delivered ]37 gestational weeks at the Leiden University Medical Centre between 1988 and 2004 were included in the study. Methods. Perinatal outcome was assessed in all term twins. Differentiation between a MC study group and a DC control group was made based on gender, intertwin membrane histology, or first trimester ultrasound. Main outcome measures. Perinatal mortality and morbidity was assessed. Morbidity was defined as admission to the neonatal nursery. Results. We included 383 DC and 74 MC twin pregnancies. Three fetuses died in utero in two MC pregnancies at 38 gestational weeks. One surviving MC co-twin had a right-sided hemiparesis due to a large parenchymal defect in the left cerebral hemisphere. Perinatal mortality was 2% (3/148) in MC and 0% (0/766) in DC twins (p00.004). The admission rate to the neonatal nursery was 27% in MC and 19% in DC twins (p00.031). Conclusions. At term, MC twins have a higher risk for perinatal mortality and a higher admission rate to the neonatal nursery compared to DC twins. Given the increased mortality, a prospective study is needed to determine the effects of elective delivery in uncomplicated MC twin pregnancies at around 37 weeks' gestation.