title: Twin vs. singleton pregnancy. Clinical characteristics and latency periods in preterm premature rupture of membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical characteristics and latency periods (latencies) of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in twin vs. singleton pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1986 and December 1996, data on all women with singleton and twin gestations complicated by PPROM were reviewed. Perinatal morbidity, mortality and latencies between singleton and twin pregnancies were compared. A further division according to PPROM at < 30 and > or = 30 weeks' gestation was made in both groups. Their latencies were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 131 singleton and 48 twin pregnancies with PPROM between 20 and 36 weeks' gestation were included in this series. Regardless of the gestational age at PPROM, the mean latencies of singleton and twin pregnancies were statistically similar (4.4 +/- 3.3 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.9 days, nonsignificant). When PPROM occurred at > or = 30 weeks, the latency of twin pregnancies was shorter than that of singleton pregnancies (2.5 +/- 1.9 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.6 days, P < .05). In both groups, the latencies of PPROM at < 30 weeks were longer than that at > or = 30 weeks (singleton, 5.6 +/- 4.0 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.6 days, P < .005; twin, 4.8 +/- 3.5 vs. 2.5 +/- 1.9 days, P < .05). We also observed a higher percentage of deliveries within the initial 48 hours in twin pregnancies: 50% of women delivered within 48 hours after PPROM and 91.7% within 7 days. In contrast, 26.7% and 85.5% of singleton pregnancies with PPROM were delivered within 48 hours and 7 days, respectively. Perinatal and neonatal outcomes in both groups were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation provides the basis for patient counseling and management in twin pregnancies with PPROM. In general, singleton and twin pregnancies with PPROM had similar latencies. Latency in PPROM at < 30 was longer than that of PPROM at > or = 30 weeks' gestation in both singleton and twin pregnancies. When PPROM occurred at < 30 weeks' gestation, both groups appeared to have similar latencies. In pregnancies with PPROM at > or = 30 weeks' gestation, latency in twins was shorter than in singleton pregnancies. In twin pregnancies with PPROM after 30 weeks' gestation, prompt steroid administration for fetal lung maturity should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D008499:Medical Records; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins