[Comparative analysis of patients with multiple pregnancy hospitalized at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Medical University of Gdansk in 1981-1990 and 1991-2000].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present twinning rates and to compare patients with multiple pregnancy delivered at Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of Medical University of Gdansk in 1981-1990 and 1991-2000.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study of 523 twin births was performed. The analysis concerned: maternal age, place of living, education, parity, using of assisted reproductive techniques.

Results: The incidence of twin pregnancy was 1.0%. The percentage of twin deliveries in 1981-1990 was 0.84% and in 1991-2000: 1.28%. The number of twin pregnancies depending on maternal age in two periods was analysed. The statistically significant differences were observed in maternal age interval 21-25 years (32.4% in 1981-1990 versus 20.8% in 1991-2000, p=0.01) and in age interval < 20 years (3.5% in 1981-1990 versus 8.8% in 1991-2000, p=0.009). There were 3.2% patients with multiple pregnancy treated due to infertility in 1981-1990 and 7.4% in 1991-2000 (p=0.04).

Conclusions: We observed the increase in twinning rates in our department. The mean age of patients with multiple pregnancy increased. We noticed the increase in number of iatrogenic multiple pregnancies.