Twin deliveries in a zonal hospital: ten years retrospective study

Twin pregnancy is associated with increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Little is reported from Ethiopia and there is lack of nationally representative data.

To assess the frequency and provide information regarding the characteristics of twin pregnancy.

This is a descriptive retrospective study (April 1, 1993-March 30, 2003) conducted by review of delivery registration books.

There were 99 twin pregnancies (1.37%). The frequency of twin pregnancy was 0.5% in the age group of 15-19, 1.3% between 20-34 years and 2.5% in the age group above 34 (P < 0.05). This rate also increases with parity and it was 0.4% in nullipara, 1.7% in para. I-IV, and 3.5% in para V and above (P < 0.05). In singleton pregnancies preterm labour was diagnosed in 512 (7.2%), premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) in 431 (6%), antepartum hemorrhage (APH) in 196 (2.7%), postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in 481 (6.7%), pre-eclampsia in 375 (5.2%), malpresentation in 620 (8.7%) and maternal death in 32 (0.45%). However, the frequency of these complications in twin pregnancies were: preterm labour in 39.4% (P < 0.01), PROM in 31.3% (P < 0.01), APH in 11.1% (P < 0.01), PPH in 9.1% (P < 0.05), pre-eclampsia in 9.1% (P < 0.05), malpresentation in 14.1% (P<0.05) and maternal death in 3% (P < 0.01) of the cases. Low birth weight was found in 53.5% of twin neonatal and 11.2% of singleton births.

Maternal complications are common in twin pregnancy. Certain characteristics such as maternal age and parity affect its frequency. Community based study is recommended to know the actual incidence determinants and the associated complications.