Birth Weight Variation between the First and the Second Twin in Spontaneously Conceived Twin Pregnancies Delivered in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki: A 5-year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Twin pregnancies are associated with disturbed fetal growth. Studies have shown reduced fetal growth, compared to singletons, and also differences in birth weight between first and second twin. Hence, there is a need to evaluate this outcome among twin pregnancies delivered in our hospital. Aim: To determine the birth weight variation between the first and second twin in spontaneously conceived twin pregnancies delivered at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Materials and Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study undertaken between January 2012 and December 31 2016 at our hospital. The study cohorts were parturients who were delivered twin pregnancies that were spontaneously conceived. Data collection was done using a pre-designed proforma; analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Result: During the study period, there were 11,932 deliveries and 378 were spontaneously conceived twin deliveries. This accounted for 3.2% of all hospital deliveries. The peak age group for twin gestation was 21-34 years 319(84.4%), 262(69.3%) were booked. Primigravidae were 101 (26.7%) while multiparas were 207 (54.8%) and grandmultiparas; 70 (18.5%). Those delivered through caesarean section were 186 (49.2%) while 176(42.0%) were delivered through the vaginal route. The Apgar score for the first twin in the first and fifth minute respectively were good in 287(75.9%) while in the second twin, 260(68.8%) suffered no asphyxia. Males were more in the first, 211 (58.8%) as well as in the second twins 209(55.3%). The mean birth weight of the first twin was 2.39kg while the mean birth weight of the second twin was 2.36kg. The first twin therefore weighed heavier than the second twin by 30g. Conclusion: Birth weight between the first and the second twin can vary depending on the gestational age, the socio-demographic status and the sex of the fetuses.