Neonatal outcome of growth discordant twin gestations

J Perinat Med. 2003;31(4):330-6. doi: 10.1515/JPM.2003.047.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare a variety of neonatal outcome variables of growth concordant twin gestations (CT) to that of growth discordant twins (DT). Maternal and neonatal charts of live, non-anomalous twins > 25 weeks' gestation from 1984-2000 with no evidence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome were reviewed for several variables. DT occurred in (N = 81) 11.9% of all twin pregnancies. In 61.7% of DT, twin B was the smaller of the twins. There was no difference in maternal age, admission indications, or antepartum complications between both groups. DT had a significantly higher incidence of growth restriction compared to CT (88.9% vs 43.5%, p < 0.001). More mothers of DT required oxytocin (37.0% vs 26.3%, p = 0.024); however, cesarean delivery rate and indications were similar in both groups. A similar percentage of infants had AS < 4 at 1 min and AS < 7 at 5 min in both groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups in neonatal complications including: trauma, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia, seizures, or neonatal mortality. However, DT had a significantly higher incidence of hyperbilirubinemia, need for mechanical ventilation and a longer nursery stay. The neonatal outcome of growth discordant twins is worse than that of concordant twins even in pregnancies uncomplicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome or congenital anomalies.

MeSH terms

  • Apgar Score
  • Birth Order
  • Birth Weight
  • Delivery, Obstetric / statistics & numerical data*
  • Diseases in Twins / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / epidemiology*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / epidemiology
  • Lebanon / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*