Clinical and epidemiological profiles of newborns from twin pregnancies in Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Morocco

Abstract

Twin pregnancies are high-risk pregnancies, and delivery of twins poses variable difficulties due to the complexity of obstetrical mechanics and the frequency of dystocic presentations. Twin births represent a real public health issue and are responsible for a high rate of perinatal mortality. This study aims to report on newborns' epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects from twin pregnancies hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatology Department of the Hassan II University Hospital, Fez. A cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study was conducted on newborns from twin pregnancies hospitalized in the neonatal and neonatal intensive care unit over two and a half years. Statistical analyses were performed using the JAMOVI software. Qualitative variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages, while quantitative variables were presented as means with standard deviations (SD) or medians with interquartile ranges (IQR). A total of 96 newborns from twin pregnancies were collected. The average maternal age was 29.7 years. Maternal complications during pregnancy were dominated by the threat of premature delivery (38.77%), premature rupture of membranes 5.49%), and urinary and cervicovaginal infectious complications (12.24%).89.8% of deliveries were medicalized, with vaginal delivery being the most common (69.39%).91.67% of newborns were premature, thus dominating neonatal morbidity. The average weight was 1585g +/- 425g.76.04% of newborns presented with neonatal respiratory distress, the most frequent etiology of which was hyaline membrane disease. These neonates presented other complications: neonatal jaundice (62.5%), perinatal anoxo-ischemia (6.25%), and transfusion-transfusion syndrome (6.25%). The neonatal mortality rate was 31.25%, with the leading cause being severe neonatal infection (56.67%). The prevalence of twin pregnancies is on the rise, with a high prevalence of prematurity among newborns, requiring special attention to limit complications.