Neonatal outcomes of preterm twins according to mode of birth and presentation

To compare neonatal outcomes of twins delivered <33 weeks' gestation in tertiary centers in Canada according to the mode of birth and presentation.

This retrospective cohort from the Canadian Neonatal Network database studied preterm twins born from 24 + 0 to 32 + 6 weeks' gestation between 2005 and 2012. Twins were grouped by the mode of birth: both vaginal, combined vaginal/cesarean section (CS), and both CS. Additionally, twins were grouped by the mode of presentation: both vertex, vertex/breech, breech/vertex, and both breech. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality or severe neonatal morbidity (severe neurological injury [intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3/4 or periventricular leukomalacia], bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis).

Of the 6636 twins, 1934 (29%) were delivered vaginally, 418 (6%) by combined vaginal birth/CS, and 4284 (65%) were born by CS. The composite did not differ between the groups. However, severe neurological injury was decreased (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.98) and respiratory distress syndrome (AOR, 1.34; 95%CI, 1.15-1.56) was increased when both the twins were delivered by CS.

Preterm twin infants born via CS experienced less severe neurological injury when compared to those delivered vaginally, but had an increase in respiratory distress syndrome.