[The structure and analysis of neonatal mortality in twins in 1991-1995 at the State University Hospital Maternity Home, Sofia].

This is a retrospective study on all liveborn children that died in the neonatal period in the University Maternal Hospital, Sofia for a five year period of time. They are divided in two groups-twins and singletons. It is established that neonatal mortality rate as a whole is decreasing while that of twins is increasing. The early neonatal mortality rate of twins is 3.6-4.5 times higher than that of singletons. Inside the group of twins who died in the neonatal period, 63.64% are with birth weight below 1500 g, while in singletons this percentage is 37.07%. Main reasons for death of liveborn twins are respiratory distress syndrome, intracranial haemorrhages and intrapartal asphyxia followed by congenital malformations and inborn infections. Conclusions point out that multiple pregnancy is a high-risk delivery and to decrease the neonatal mortality rate of twins the collective efforts of obstetricians and neonatologists are needed.