Twin pregnancy and perinatal deaths

This is a retrospective study with the aim of revisiting twin pregnancy-a common obstetric problem-to determine if there are reductions in the incidence of very low birth weight babies, delivery problems and perinatal deaths. Three hundred and eight consecutive twin gestations were delivered at the hospital and an incidence of 21.3 per 1000 births. Preterm delivery and low birth weight babies accounted for 36.2% and 60.9% respectively. Breech extraction had the highest perinatal mortality (157.9 per 1000 births). Perinatal mortality was significantly high 341 per 1000 births in preterm delivery (less than 34 weeks' gestation). There was 50% mortality in very low birth weight category. The perinatal mortality of 102 per 1000 births in this study was threefold that of the overall hospital perinatal mortality (36 per 1000 births). Twin pregnancy, thus still represent a major obstetric and perinatal challenge. Provision of intensive multidisciplinary antenatal and intrapartum care and improvement of women's status would improve outcome.