Determinants of Perinatal Mortality in Twins at Ibadan

Abstract

Context: Twinning being a very important high-risk condition in our environment requires detailed study. There are several studies reviewing factors in twin perinatal mortality in our environment but there is a need to ascertain the relative contributions of each of these factors. Objectives: To assess the relative contributions of maternal and fetal factors to perinatal mortality in twins. Materials and Methods: Data was extracted from the birth register of a Nigerian tertiary health institution to identify maternal and fetal factors associated with a higher risk of perinatal mortality. Outcome Measures: Perinatal deaths among twin pairs (ranked). Results: The twinning rate was 32.3/1000(3.2%). Risk of perinatal death had linear correlation with birth asphyxia (r = 0.412, p Conclusion: Birth asphyxia was the greatest predictor of perinatal death in twins among the variables studied. Key Words: Twins, Birthweight Discordance, Perinatal Mortality [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2002, 19: 36-38].