A two and a half year review of some aspects of twin delivery at the Kenyatta National Hospital
Oyieke, J.B.
East African Medical Journal 62(11): 802-806
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 3830682 Document Number: 255575
This is a retrospective review of twin deliveries as seen at the Kenyatta National Hospital over a period of two and a half years, beginning from January 1977-June 1979. The high twinning rate of 1:588 could be because K.N.H. is a referral hospital whereby all high risk cases from the peripheral hospitals and delivery units are referred. 25.2% of cases were not diagnosed until the delivery of the first twin. Corrected perinatal mortality was higher for the second twin (10%) compared to that of the first (6%). The primigravida twin mother had a better foetal outcome (P.N.M. 1.6%) than her multigravid counterpart with a P.N.M. of 5.9%. Premature delivery (< 29 weeks) accounted for 100% perinatal mortality whereas those born at 34 weeks or over had a perinatal mortality of only 2.5%. Low birth weight (< 1500 g) also contributed significantly to perinatal mortality.