Maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with twin pregnancies based on gestational weight gain: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines of gestational weight gain (GWG). METHODS: PubMED, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched up to 30(th) July 2022. All studies evaluating maternal and/or neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies based on the IOM guidelines of gestational weight gain were included. RESULTS: Twenty two studies were included. Mothers with twin pregnancies experiencing inadequate GWG showed higher incidence of gestational diabetes with the risk ratio (RR) 1.22 95% CI (0.95,1.57), p=0.0005, i2= 69% and premature rupture of membrane (PROM) with RR 1.14 95% CI (0.99, 1.30), p=0.07; i2=0% that coincided with higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA) and admission to NICU in neonates. Mothers with excessive GWG had higher risk of developing gestational hypertension with RR 1.59 95% CI (1.22, 2.07), p=0.0006, i2=75% and extremely preterm delivery (<32 weeks). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this review, GWG was found to be a predictable risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies.