Maternal basal metabolic rate in twin pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the basal metabolic rate in patients with twin pregnancies and compared the results with those of singleton pregnancies and non-pregnant women.


METHODS
In 15 non-pregnant women, 14 patients with twin and 25 patients with singleton pregnancies, the resting energy expenditure was measured using an open-circuit ventilatory system during the third trimester of pregnancy.


RESULTS
The averaged resting energy expenditure in patients with twin pregnancy was 1,636 +/- 174 kcal/day, significantly higher than that in patients with singleton pregnancy (1,456 +/- 158 kcal/day; p < 0.05). Both of these levels are significantly higher than those in non-pregnant women (1,228 +/- 132 kcal/day; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the estimated increased metabolic demands in patients during the third trimester of twin pregnancy are about 10% higher than those in women with singleton pregnancy. A prospective clinical study concerning nutrition counseling is needed.
Shinagawa
Shino
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Suzuki
Shunji
S
Chihara
Hiromitsu
H
Otsubo
Yasuo
Y
Takeshita
Toshiyuki
T
Araki
Tsutomu
T
D000328:Adult; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001830:Body Surface Area; D001835:Body Weight; D002302:Cardiac Output; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology; D012146:Rest; D014427:Twins / Q000502:physiology*