Multiple births in Brazzaville: about 410 case

Objective: Appreciate the prevalence of multiple births in Congo and identify the factors and the risks associated for infant. Material and method: A case-control prospective study was conducted throughout hospitals of Brazzaville (Congo). A total of 410 multiple births (group 1) were compared to 427 births resulting of monofoetal pregnancy (group 2). Results: The frequency of twins was estimated at 1.67%, while the frequency of triple births was equal to 0.02%. This frequency was higher among mothers aged 20 to 30 years and among multipared mothers. Family antecedents of the birth of twins were observed among twins (87.6%) and in all cases of triple births. The percent of premature delivery predominated (P < 0.01) among twins: 157 cases (39.1%) in group 1 versus 98 cases (23%) in group 2. All cases of triple births were premature. In the two groups, childbirth unrolled by low tract in most cases, but more (P < 0.001) in monofoetal pregnancies (n = 377 or 88.3%). When Apgar quotation was superior to seven, the frequency of first twins was higher (P  < 0.01) among the first twins than the second twins: 295 cases (79.9%) versus 74 cases (20.1%). As far as mortality is concerned, 56 twins (6.9%) died at birth and 164 cases (21.3%) died at first six days of life. Discussion and conclusion: The frequency of multiple births in Congo was similar to frequency observed in other African countries. Improvement of foetomaternal prognosis in multiple births is linked to an appropriate follow of pregnancy and childbirth. © 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.