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Preterm severe preeclampsia in singleton and twin pregnancies

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 94–97 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate rates of delivery and clinical manifestations of preterm severe preeclampsia in singleton and twin gestations.

Study Design:

This retrospective cohort study included 86 765 deliveries from 2000 to 2009, including 3244 twins. Rates of delivery for severe preeclampsia among infants born 24 to 31+6, and 32 to 36+6 weeks gestation were calculated, and diagnostic criteria were compared.

Result:

Re-term severe preeclampsia was more common in twin pregnancies (2.4% vs 0.4%, P<0.001, relative risk 5.70 (95% confidence interval 4.47 to 7.26)). This was also true for deliveries from 24 to 31+6 (0.8% vs 0.2%, P<0.001) and 32 to 36+6 weeks (1.7% vs 0.3%, P<0.001). Diagnostic criteria and disease manifestation including hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelet count syndrome, abruption and growth restriction were similar between groups.

Conclusion:

Twin pregnancies are significantly more likely than singletons to be delivered preterm for severe preeclampsia. Diagnostic criteria and disease manifestation were similar in singletons and twins, at all gestational ages.

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Acknowledgements

No financial support was provided for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, Boston, USA

    D E Henry, T F McElrath & N A Smith

Authors
  1. D E Henry
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  2. T F McElrath
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  3. N A Smith
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Correspondence to D E Henry.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

This work was previously presented at the 2011 Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Annual Meeting.

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Henry, D., McElrath, T. & Smith, N. Preterm severe preeclampsia in singleton and twin pregnancies. J Perinatol 33, 94–97 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.74

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