Assessment of peri-neonatal mortality and morbidity risk in twin pregnancy.

A case control study on peri-neonatal mortality and morbidity rates in 154 twin pregnancies has been performed. The mortality rates along with main neonatal morbidity factors were evaluated in relation to the birth weight and gestational age. The risk of death in peri-neonatal period was 17 times greater (relative risk 17.30) (p less than .00005) in newborns weighing less than 2000 g and about 15 times (r.r. 14.53) (p less than .00005) in twins born before 34th week of gestational age with respect to the controls. The Apgar score of the 2nd twin was lower than that of the 1st, both at 1' (p less than .05) and 5' (p less than .025). The development of HMD was strongly influenced by the gestational age when less than 34th week (r.r. 15.89) (p less than .00005). No difference in incidence was found between the newborns with gestational age between 34-37 weeks and those at term. The potential implications of these findings on obstetric and neonatologic treatment of LBW and VLBW twins was discussed.