[Twin pregnancies in southern Reunion Island: a three-year cross-sectional study of risk factors and complications].
OBJECTIVE
To describe characteristics of multiples pregnancies in southern Reunion Island.


METHODS
A three-year [corrected] cross-sectional observational study aimed at describing risk factors, events and [corrcected] complications and associated with twin pregnancies from 22 weeks gestation onward, within a tertiary care hospital centre, the Groupe Hospitalier Sud-Réunion.


RESULTS
The study included 241 multiple pregnancies out of 15 837 pregnant women. The regional incidence of multiple pregnancies was 1.5%. Indicators of eligible twin pregnancies (n=234) were mother age up or equal to 35 years (63% of women, OR 8.4; CI95% 6.3-11.1), infertility treatments (15%): ovarian stimulations (OR: 50.2; CI95% 24.7-102) and in vitro-fertilisations (OR: 44.3; CI95% 22.6-86.3). A low maternal corpulence before pregnancy (BMI<20) and celibacy were negatively associated with twin pregnancies. Prenatal cares for twin pregnancies were globally adequate. The need for hospitalisation was 50% (30% of whom for preterm delivery threats). Twin pregnancies increased risks for pre eclampsia (OR: 3.0; CI95% 1.6-5.7) and gestational diabetes (OR: 1.9; CI95% 1.2-2.8). Caesareans and instrumental delivery rates were 50% and 12% (vs 16% and 7%), respectively. Twin infants were preterm for 62% and very preterm for 18%. Last, they were more likely to die than singletons (perinatal mortality: 78 per thousand for monochorionic twins, 57 per thousand for bichorionic twins vs 17 per thousand, p<0.0001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In Reunion Island, the incidence of multiple pregnancies is similar to that seen in Europe, but seems less due to assisted reproduction techniques. In return, they are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates.
Gérardin
P
P
Service de Néonatologie, Réanimation Néonatale et Pédiatrique, Groupe Hospitalier Sud-Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint-Pierre Cedex, île de la Réunion. p.gerardin@ch-sudreunion.fr
Boumahni
B
B
Choker
G
G
Carbonnier
M
M
Gabrièle
M
M
Heisert
M
M
Kauffmann
E
E
Laffitte
A
A
Robillard
P-Y
PY
Barau
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005299:Fertility Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017533:Marital Status; D008423:Maternal Age; D009017:Morbidity; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D014427:Twins
D005299:Fertility Agents