[Risk assessment in twin pregnancy]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Context:

• Retrospective analysis of 248 twin pregnancies between 1980 and 1988.
• Matched-pair comparison with singleton pregnancies of similar maternal age and parity.
• Focus on delivery course and fetal outcomes in twin gestation.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the delivery process and fetal outcomes in twin pregnancies.
• To compare the risks and complications of twin versus singleton pregnancies.
• To identify key factors contributing to prematurity in twin gestations.

Summary:

• Twin pregnancies exhibited higher rates of prematurity, primarily due to preterm uterine contractions and premature rupture of membranes.
• Cesarean section rates were significantly higher in twin pregnancies (41.2%) compared to singletons (18.8%).
• Apgar scores were generally lower in twins, and the second twin showed lower umbilical artery pH values, indicating potential adverse outcomes.

Impact:

• Twin pregnancy remains a high-risk condition associated with a 2.3-fold increased perinatal mortality compared to singleton pregnancies.
• Findings underscore the need for specialized management and monitoring for twin gestations.
• This research provides historical data to inform contemporary high-risk obstetric care protocols for multiple gestations.