ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the admission to delivery interval and the rate of immediate delivery in twin versus singleton gestation complicated by spontaneous preterm labor (SPTL). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of pregnant women presenting with advanced cervical dilatation of 3-5 cm and frequent uterine contractions at 24-34 weeks of gestation was performed. The rate of progression to delivery within 12 h and 24 h, as well as rates of prolonged latency, were compared between twins and singletons gestations. RESULTS: Sixty-nine women were included, of which 25 carried twins and 44 singletons. The overall rate of spontaneous delivery within 12 h and 24 h was 47.8% and 59.4%, respectively, and similar between twins and singletons. Nevertheless, prolonged latency of 10 days or more after presentation was more frequent among twins compared with singletons [10/25 (40%) vs. 7/44 (15.9%), respectively; P=0.026]. Moreover, women carrying twins presenting with advanced cervical dilatation had a better chance of completing a full 2-dose antenatal betamethasone course compared with singletons [19/25 (76%) of twins compared with 21/44 (47.7%) of singletons, odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.16-10.34; P=0.022]. CONCLUSION: Up to 60% of women presenting with advanced cervical dilatation prior to 34 weeks' gestation give birth within 24 h. Nevertheless, women carrying twins have a better chance of completing a betamethasone course and having prolonged latency compared with singletons.
