Maternal mortality in twin gestations.
OBJECTIVE
To review various aspects of maternal morbidity and delivery complications leading to maternal death in twin gestations.


METHODS
Literature research.


RESULTS
The incidence of maternal mortality associated with twin gestation is not known but can be estimated from a few community-based series and from studies on maternal morbidity related to twins. The combination of physiologic changes and perinatal pathologies that are either unique or more common in twin gestations (e.g., preeclampsia/eclampsia, need for tocolysis, anemia, abruption placentae, special delivery circumstances and cesarean section) is certainly increasing the maternal risk for serious morbidity and even mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Twin pregnancies should be included among the categories of pregnancy-related maternal death in order to learn how to eliminate avoidable mortality in twin gestations.
Blickstein
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
D000037:Abruptio Placentae; D004461:Eclampsia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D014427:Twins