[Maternal morbidity in multiple pregnancies].
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to outline the clinical physiognomy of maternal morbidity in multiple pregnancies in order to improve maternal and feto-neonatal.


METHODS
We reviewed the admissions to Department B of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at Turin University during the decade 1989-1998. Out of 17,445 pregnancies, we noted a 205 multiple pregnancies (1.17%), including 199 sets of twins, 5 triplets and 1 quadruplets. The percentages for the incidence of the various forms of maternal morbidity were compared to a control group of 1000 single births.


RESULTS
Of 205 multiple pregnancies, 169 (82.43%) presented complications of varying severity and associated with statistically significant increase (always over 50%). These took the form of: premature birth (75.12%), PROM (28.29%), threat of premature birth (14.63%), phlebectasia (9.75%), anemia (8.78%), hyperemesis in the first quarter (8.29%), abortion (4.89%), polyhydramnios (4.39%), urinary tract infection (1.95%), detachment of the placenta (1.95%), liver pathology (1.46%), placenta previa (0.97%).


CONCLUSIONS
The pathological picture revealed by this survey may seriously jeopardise the normal evolution of pregnancy, with severe repercussions for mother and fetus-neonate. These high-risk pregnancies should be included in a preventive programme of medical-social-outpatient and home assistance to guarantee early hospitalisation.
Dipartimento di Discipline, Ginecologiche ed Ostetriche Cattedra B, Università degli Studi, Turin, Italy.
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D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple