title: The contribution of multiple pregnancy to perinatal mortality in Benin City.
abstract: The contribution of multiple pregnancy to overall perinatal mortality in the 3 major hospitals in Benin City has been reviewed.  Although the incidence is 2.6% of all deliveries, it accounts for 14.3% of the overall perinatal mortality.  The factors of importance in relation to perinatal loss included preterm delivery, low birthweight, birth order, malpresentation, mode of delivery, and failure to diagnose multiple pregnancy before labor.  Bedrest is advocated.  Health education is important in encouraging parturients to avail themselves of available antenatal facilities.  A high index of suspicion for multiple pregnancy and referral of such patients to major units equipped to manage such high risk pregnancies will reduce fetal wastage.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Omu
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Akingba
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000354:Africa, Western; D001695:Biology; D001722:Birth Order; D001724:Birth Weight; D001835:Body Weight; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D005313:Fetal Death; D006262:Health; D006296:Health Services; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008423:Maternal Age; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D009026:Mortality; D009549:Nigeria; D009790:Occupations; D010298:Parity; D010827:Physiology; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012098:Reproduction; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D012923:Social Class
keywords: Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Biology; Birth Order; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Delivery; Delivery Of Health Care; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; English Speaking Africa; Fetal Death; Health; Health Services; Incidence; Infant Mortality; Maternal Age; Maternal Health Services; Maternal-child Health Services; Measurement; Mortality; Nigeria; Occupations; Parity; Physiology; Population; Population Dynamics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Multiple; Primary Health Care; Reproduction; Research Methodology; Socioeconomic Status; Western Africa