Routine hospital care does not improve prognosis in twin gestation

The effects of routine hospital care in twin gestation were evaluated by comparing the gestational outcome in two neighbouring university departments in southern Sweden. In Malmö, 79% (175/223) of all women with a twin pregnancy were given routine hospital care between the 26-28th and 35th gestational week, whereas in Lund only 4% (16/409) received such treatment. Hospitalization averaged 9 weeks in Malmö, versus 2 weeks in Lund. We found no significant differences between the two areas regarding gestational length, birth weight, or perinatal mortality. This study indicates that routine hospital care does not improve the prognosis in twin gestation.