Mares M, Casanueva E

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 238-244
PDF size: 124.83 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: Multiple pregnancy increases the risk for maternal and fetal complications, elevating morbidity and mortality rates for both cases. Nowadays changes in the maternal body and nutritional requirements are well documented for one-fetus pregnancies, nevertheless for multiple pregnancies the information is scarce.
Objective: Analyze the determinants for birth weight in twin pregnancies in order to establish criteria for ideal maternal weight gain.
Methodology: Information of maternal height, weight, age and previous pregnancies from women who received prenatal care in the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología from 1999 to 2000 and gestational age, height and weight of the newborns was gathered.
Results: 28 years, 2 pregnancies, 155 cm of height and a percentage of weight for height and gestational age of 117.5% (%W/H and GA) were the mean for the biological characteristics of the mothers. Both twins at birth weight less than 2,500g in the 50 percentile. Although this means a low birth weight, Apgar scores in average were above 8. Most pregnancies were resolved at 35 weeks. Determinants that showed risk for low birth weight (LBW) were maternal age (‹ 17 years), height (‹ 150 cm), previous pregnancies (at least 1) and %W/H and GA (‹ 115).
Conclusions: LBW is a common problem in twin pregnancies. Adolescent, short, primigravidae and women with low %W/H and GA have the most risk of having LBW twins. An optimal weight gain of 115% (W/H and GA) or weight gain of 300 g/week, should be counseled and promoted.

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