The applicability of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations of gestational weight gain (GWG) for Chinese twin gestations is uncertain. In this article, we aimed to investigate the associations between GWG among twin gestations, as categorized according to the 2009 IOM guidelines and perinatal outcomes in Chengdu, China. A retrospective cohort study of pregnant women delivering live twins ≥28 weeks at a tertiary maternal and child hospital was conducted. The incidences of perinatal outcomes were compared across three groups-that is, women with low, adequate, and excessive GWG. Logistic regression analyses were next performed to confirm the associations while taking into account potential confounders. Results showed that low GWG was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, low and very low birthweight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and gestational diabetes, whereas preeclampsia was more frequent among excessive GWG women. In conclusion, adherence to the 2009 IOM guidelines for twin pregnancies are associated with improved perinatal outcomes. This has the potential to improve short- and long-term public health outcomes.
Keywords: Chinese; Southwest China; gestational weight gain; perinatal outcomes; twin pregnancy.