Maternal and Neonatal Variables in Twins: an Epidemiological Approach

Abstract

Population studies on human twinning are scarce in Argentina. In order to analyze frequencies and certain maternal and neonatal variables related to twin births, we studied a series of 69.678 consecutive newborns with 500 g of weight and over, which occurred at a public hospital in the province Buenos Aires, during 14 years (1982-1995). The frequency of twin births (10 per 1000 deliveries) and sex ratio were similar to other studies reported in Caucasian population. Maternal age and order of gravity/parity were positively correlated with twinning rates, more markedly so in dissimilar sex-pairs. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths were more frequent in twins than in singletons, but less frequent when comparing groups of same weight. Congenital malformations were not found to be significantly more frequent in twins than in the total newborn population. However, their occurrence, predominantly in like-sexed pairs and the concordance for defect type in doubly affected same-sex pairs, suggests that monozygotic twinning carries an increased risk for malformation.

Twin and Singleton Births in Ghana — A Case-control Study

“…The commonest indication for NICU admission of twins being low birth weight and that for singletons being perinatal asphyxia is consistent with what has been reported from Ibadan, Nigeria where the commonest morbidity factor among admissions to NICU were low birth weight and perinatal asphyxia for twins and singletons respectively (Okogbo & Familusi, 1997 determine the outcomes of NICU admissions so that it may be confirmed if any differences exist between twin and singleton babies, as has been reported in many studies that neonatal outcomes are much worse in twin babies (Campana & Roubicek, 1996;Powers & Kiely, 1994;Spellacy et al, 1990). The absence of any difference in the rate of instrumental delivery between the two groups has also been reported from Nigeria (Adinma & Agbai, 1994).…”

“…The higher incidence, among twins, of non-vertex presentation, stillbirths and of admission of live-born babies to the NICU has been reported in many studies (Adinma & Agbai, 1994;Campana & Roubicek, 1996;Kovacs et al, 1989;Okogbo & Familusi, 1997;Spellacy et al, 1990). The commonest indication for NICU admission of twins being low birth weight and that for singletons being perinatal asphyxia is consistent with what has been reported from Ibadan, Nigeria where the commonest morbidity factor among admissions to NICU were low birth weight and perinatal asphyxia for twins and singletons respectively (Okogbo & Familusi, 1997 determine the outcomes of NICU admissions so that it may be confirmed if any differences exist between twin and singleton babies, as has been reported in many studies that neonatal outcomes are much worse in twin babies (Campana & Roubicek, 1996;Powers & Kiely, 1994;Spellacy et al, 1990).…”

Risk of birth defects increased in pregnancies conceived by assisted human reproduction

“…However, we found there would be no difference in doing so because in AHR most twins are dizygotic and because it is primarily in monozygotic twins that an increase in malformations is detected (24). We also did not adjust for the use of toxins, such as drugs and alcohol, since most woman undergoing AHR treatment are less likely to be exposed to toxins and tend to be of higher socioeconomic status (25)(26)(27).…”

MFM/geneticist view on prenatal management of twins

“…In addition, the rate of congenital malformations is higher in MZ twins as compared to DZ twins [Campana and Roubicek, 1996]. MC twins have a 3-to 10-fold higher perinatal mortality and morbidity than DC twins.…”