J Obstet Gynecol. 1982 Apr;59(4):463-6.
Twin pregnancies--a continuing perinatal challenge.
Hawrylyshyn PA, Barkin M, Bernstein A, Papsin FR.
A 5-year retrospective analysis of the management of 177
twin pregnancies was undertaken. Despite increased use
of bed rest and ultrasonography as currently
recommended, the perinatal mortality among twins (13.2%)
remained almost 10 times that for singleton births.
Although elective hospitalization for bed rest prolonged
the pregnancy, it did not decrease the perinatal
mortality. The authors believe this was attributable to
bed rest being instituted too late, as 70% of perinatal
mortality occurred before the 30th week of gestation,
which was also the period of greatest neonatal
morbidity. Suggested recommendations for improving
management of twin pregnancies are discussed.
