The contribution of twins to perinatal mortality in Jamaica.
The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality Survey collected data that have been used in this paper to estimate: (1) the rate of multiple deliveries on the island; (2) the way in which this varies with demographic features; and (3) the causes of perinatal mortality among twins on the island. The survey consisted of two phases: a study of all births in the months of September and October 1986 (the cohort months) and a study of all perinatal deaths in the 12 months from 1 September 1986 to 31 August 1987. Among the 10,408 pregnancies in the cohort months, 99(1.0%) were multiple pregnancies. The twinning rate showed statistically significant trends with maternal age and parity but no association with social factors. Among the 2020 perinatal deaths occurring in the 12-month period, 173 (8.6%) were twins, with particularly high contribution to the Wiggles-worth group 'deaths from immaturity'. Mortality rate of twins was significantly lower if mothers resided in areas where there were good obstetric and paediatric facilities.
Ashley
D
D
Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica.
Samms-Vaughan
M
M
Greenwood
R
R
Golding
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014427:Twins / Q000706:statistics & numerical data