[Perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies. Progress in perinatology]

162 twin pregnancies of the I. Univ.-Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Vienna between 1969 and 1977 have been analysed (1969--1974 = group I; 1975--1977 = group II). It was found that the main risk factors of twin gravidity are the high rate of babies born before term, the high rate of operative deliveries and the high rate of perinatal mortality. The twin pregnancy should be diagnozed early. This allows the possibility of prophylactic therapy of onset of labour before term. According to our observations the difference in mortality rates between the first and the second group is very high (13,3 in comparison to 5,5%). The management of twin pregnancies as a high risk delivery with continuous fetal monitoring has doubled the number of indications for caesarean section. The essential problem of twin pregnancy seems to be the high rate of premature deliveries. Therefore an adequate increase of the legal antenatal and postnatal maternal protection period is emphasized.