Perinatal mortality in twin pregnancy. A review of 799 twin pregnancies.

There were 799 deliveries of twins at Harare Hospital during 1983. Of the 1598 infants 155 died, giving a perinatal mortality rate for twin pregnancy of 97/1,000, 3 times higher than the rate for singleton pregnancies. The most common cause of death was immaturity. The perinatal mortality rate was higher for second twins than for first twins. Factors important in decreasing perinatal mortality in twin pregnancy are discussed with reference to the literature.