The effect of maternal anemia on maternal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of second trimester anemia on maternal and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.

A retrospective population-based study was conducted, comparing maternal and neonatal outcomes in women carrying twins, with second trimester anemia (defined as hemoglobin < 10 g/dl) to those without anemia (defined as hemoglobin > or equal to 10 g/dl). Deliveries occurred in a tertiary medical center in 2013.

During the study period, there were 307 twin deliveries. Hemoglobin levels were available for 247 (80.4%) twins; 66 (26.7%) of these had anemia (<10 g/dl) during the second trimester. Women with second trimester anemia had a higher parity (p=0.03), and needed more blood transfusions than those with hemoglobin level > or equal to 10 g/dl (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.11-2.43, p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding other obstetrical outcomes or regarding perinatal outcomes.

Second trimester anemia in women carrying twins is associated with a high parity and increases the risk for blood transfusions. However, in our population, maternal anemia in twin gestations does not increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcome.