A comparison of the rate of premature rupture of membranes between twin versus singleton pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rate of pregnancy complicated with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and obstetric outcomes of twin pregnancies and singleton pregnancies.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on twin and singleton pregnancies that delivered at Rajavithi Hospital, Tertiary public hospital, Bangkok, Thailand between January 1, 2008 and July 31, 2012. Singleton pregnancies as a control group were matched with twin pregnancies based on date ofdelivery, with a ratio of]:1. The main outcome of measure was the prevalence ofpreterm rupture of membranes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PROM among twin pregnancies had a tendency to be lower than that in singleton pregnancies, 5.4% vs. 9%, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). The mean gestational age at delivery for twin pregnancies was significantly lower than singleton, 34.8±3.1 weeks vs. 38.1±2.1 weeks (p<0.001). The rates of cesarean delivery, low birth weight baby, and APGAR scores less than 7at 5 minutes were also significantly higher in twin pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of PROM in twin pregnancies had a tendency to be lower than that in singleton, but not statistically significant. The reason may be associated with a high rate ofpre-labor cesarean section due to other obstetric complications.