Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of twin pregnancies in Prapokklao Hospital.
Materials and Methods: The outcomes of 151 women with twin pregnancies delivered at Prapokklao
Hospital between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The
maternal and neonatal data were obtained from the medical records. Statistical analysis was
performed.
Results: The prevalence of twin deliveries at Prapokklao Hospital was 6.89 per 1,000 live births.
The diagnosis of twin pregnancies in the antepartum period was made in 70.2% of cases.
Cesarean section was the most common route of delivery. The three leading pregnancy
complications were preterm delivery, anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, with a
prevalence of 62.9%, 23.8% and 13.9%, respectively. There was no maternal death. In
pregnancies with gestational age less than thirty-four weeks, only ten (11.1%) received
corticosteroid therapy before delivery. Forty-one (43.2%) preterm cases recieved the antibiotics
for group B streptococcal prophylaxis before delivery. The three most common neonatal
complications were low birthweight (73.2%), an Apgar score less than 7 at 1 minute (13.9%),
and sepsis (11.6%). There were 5 neonatal deaths and 11 stillbirths. Eighty one percent of the
death occurred in preterm fetuses. The perinatal mortality rate was 53.0 per 1,000 births.
Conclusion: Preterm delivery was the most common complication of twin pregnancies and was
the leading cause of perinatal mortality. Prevention of preterm labor and improvement of neonatal
care may improve outcomes in twin pregnancies.