[Comparative analysis of patients with multiple pregnancy hospitalized at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Medical University of Gdansk in 1981-1990 and 1991-2000].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to present twinning rates and to compare patients with multiple pregnancy delivered at Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of Medical University of Gdansk in 1981-1990 and 1991-2000.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective study of 523 twin births was performed. The analysis concerned: maternal age, place of living, education, parity, using of assisted reproductive techniques.

RESULTS

The incidence of twin pregnancy was 1.0%. The percentage of twin deliveries in 1981-1990 was 0.84% and in 1991-2000: 1.28%. The number of twin pregnancies depending on maternal age in two periods was analysed. The statistically significant differences were observed in maternal age interval 21-25 years (32.4% in 1981-1990 versus 20.8% in 1991-2000, p=0.01) and in age interval < 20 years (3.5% in 1981-1990 versus 8.8% in 1991-2000, p=0.009). There were 3.2% patients with multiple pregnancy treated due to infertility in 1981-1990 and 7.4% in 1991-2000 (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed the increase in twinning rates in our department. The mean age of patients with multiple pregnancy increased. We noticed the increase in number of iatrogenic multiple pregnancies.