[Prognosis of twin deliveries in an African milieu]

We carried out a retrospective study of 101 multiple pregnancies between January 1st 1997 and June 30 1999, to investigate the prognosis of twin deliveries at the Josephine Bongo Maternity Unit. The frequency of twin deliveries was 2.22%, corresponding to over 1 in 45 deliveries. Mean birth weight was 2,309.6 +/- 369.31 g for the first twin and 2,234.31 +/- 397.58 g for the second twin. The frequency of cesarean section was 11% for the first twin and 18% for the second twin. The neonatal mortality rate was 30 per thousand for the first twin and 50 per thousand for the second twin. The reorganization of mother and child health services would help to improve fetal prognosis in twin deliveries.