Obstetric outcome of twin gestations in a tertiary hospital South-western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Twin pregnancy is considered a high risk pregnancy due to associated adverse obstetric outcomes. The objective was to determine the prevalence, complications and the obstetric outcomes of twin deliveries in EKSUTH.

Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of twin gestations managed at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti between January 2009 and December 2012 was done.

Results: The prevalence of twin deliveries was 1 in 23 deliveries (4.3%). Increasing age and parity and Yoruba ethnicity were associated with higher twinning rate. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36.6 ± 2.9 weeks and the mean birth weight was 2.47 ± 0.49 kg with first twins having higher birth weight. Spontaneous vaginal delivery was the most common mode of delivery accounting for 52.6% and 49.3% in twin 1 and twin 2, respectively, and majority (39.5%) of the twins were in cephalic–cephalic presentation. The most common indication for caesarean delivery was breech presentation in the first twin. Preterm labour was the commonest maternal complications occurring in 25.7% of cases. The perinatal mortality rate was 105 per 1000 deliveries and this was significantly associated with unbooked patients, p = 0.001. There were no maternal deaths.

Conclusion: Preterm labour remains the commonest complication with associated high perinatal mortality.

• Obstetric outcome
• South-western Nigeria
• twin pregnancy

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.