[Fetal risk factors in twin pregnancies. Critical analysis of 265 cases]

The authors report their critical analysis of perinatal mortality concerning 265 twin pregnancies collected between 1982 and 1993 in the Maternity Unit of the Yaoundé (Cameroon) Teaching Hospital Group. There were a total of 14,277 deliveries during this period. The twin pregnancy rate was 1.8 per cent. Delivery was spontaneous in 89.6 per cent of cases and by cesarean section in 10 per cent of cases. In 3 cases the second twin was delivered by section after spontaneous delivery of the first twin. Perinatal mortality evaluated at 6.9 per cent (37 cases) was analysed according to fetal risk factors such as gestational age, type of delivery, fetal presentation, birth weight, birth rank and the time interval between birth of the first and second twin. Perinatal mortality of premature twins with 25 fetal deaths accounted for approximately 2/3 of the fetal deaths in this series. Twenty-two cases of fetal deaths seen in the group of second twins accounted for more than half of all fetal mortality. The time interval between the two births was an important factor in the fetal prognosis of the second twin. There were 14 cases of death of the second twin for a time interval longer than 20 minutes as compared with 8 fetal deaths for an interval of 20 minutes or less. Breech presentation was associated with abnormally high fetal mortality (16 cases). Our conclusion is that improved perinatal mortality in twin pregnancies must be sought by preventing prematurity. Breech presentation is a factor of poor prognosis, in which it is important to widen indications for prophylactic cesarean section aimed at improving fetal prognosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)