Abstract

Background: Twin gestation, the simultaneous development of two fetuses in the womb, presents unique challenges and considerations for healthcare providers and researchers, particularly in developing countries. By studying pregnancy outcomes in twin gestation within the developing world, researchers can contribute valuable insights into the factors that influence the health and well-being of mothers and their infants.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Government Lalla Ded Hospital, the sole tertiary care maternity hospital in Kashmir province of J&K State of India. A total of 93 consecutive women with twin pregnancies, who were either registered antenatal patients or referral cases, were included in the study.Results: The average age of the study patients was 28.5 years, with a standard deviation of 4.72 and the majority of the study patients, accounting for 60.2%, were primigravida, meaning they were experiencing their first pregnancy. We found that majority of patients (43.0%) fell within the 32–36 weeks gestational age range, followed by 28–32 weeks (26.9%) and 24–28 weeks (15.1%). The most common maternal outcomes were premature labor (64.5%) and anemia (61.3%). Other complications observed included gestational hypertension (30.1%), premature rupture of membranes (25.8%), postpartum hemorrhage (17.2%). Out of 186 neonates, around 67.2% (125 infants) required neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, emphasizing the need for specialized care. Tragically, there were 25 neonatal deaths (13.4%) within the first week and 5.9% (11 infants) experienced intrauterine death (IUD), and there was one case (0.5%) of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP). Conclusion: Complications such as gestational hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage, and intrauterine death were observed. Neonatal outcomes revealed low Apgar scores, NICU admissions, neonatal deaths, intrauterine deaths, and a rare case of twin reversed arterial perfusion. These findings emphasize the importance of further investigation and intervention to improve neonatal care and reduce adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies.