The impact of hydramnios on pregnancy outcome in twin gestations.
OBJECTIVE
To compare pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancies with and without hydramnios.


METHODS
A database of women receiving outpatient preterm labor surveillance services was studied for the period 1988 to 2002. Included were women with twin gestations under 30 weeks' gestation at start of outpatient services. We compared pregnancy outcomes for twin gestations with hydramnios (n=201) to twin gestations that had normal amniotic fluid volume (n=13,111).


RESULTS
Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies were adversely affected by the presence of hydramnios. Delivery was shifted to earlier gestations in women with hydramnios (32.8 vs 35.1 weeks, p<0.001), especially under 32 weeks (38.3 vs 12.7%). Perinatal loss was notable in women with hydramnios: stillbirths (12.7 vs 1.1%, p<0.001) and neonatal mortality (7.5 vs 1.1%, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Hydramnios in twin gestations negatively impacts gestational age at delivery. The incidence of perinatal mortality is significantly increased in the presence of hydramnios.
Orhan
Ayfer
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital and the Chicago Medical School, Finch University of the Health Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA.
Kurzel
Richard B
RB
Istwan
Niki B
NB
Rhea
Debbie
D
Burgess
Eric
E
Stanziano
Gary
G
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D014427:Twins; D018590:Uterine Monitoring