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.