Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Is the second-born twin at high risk?
Objective: To compare the outcome of the second-born twin with that of the first twin and to find out whether there were any differences and the reason for such differences, if any, and how to improve those diffierences. Method: We retrospectively reviewed twin deliveries from the 15th of April. 1994 to the 14th of April, 1996. Excluded were twms weighing <500 gm, either twin with a lethal malformation, and either twin who died bcforc the onset of labour. After this exclusion 246 twin pairs remained in the study. We compared perinatal mortality and 5-minute Apgar scores for both twins. Results: Perinatal mortality was similar for both twins as well as 5-rninute Apgar scores. The twins <1500 gm appeared at special risk. The mode of delivery had no influence on the perinatal outcome of either twin. Conclusions: The second-born twin may not be at increased risk of complications compared with the first-born twin and caesarean delivery may not improve this outcome.