[Perinatal outcome of discordant twin pregnancies].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss peripartum obstetrics events and perinatal outcomes of discordant twin pregnancies.


METHODS
Discordant growth was defined as the intrapair difference in birth weight more than 20%. Ninety-six discordant twin pregnancies (observed group) and 349 concordant ones (control group) were compared in pregnant complications and perinatal outcomes.


RESULTS
No difference of maternal age, chorionicity, methods of conception and fetal gender were found between two groups. Observed group had a higher incidence of late abortion (13.5% vs 4.3%, P < 0.05), polyhydramnios (22.9% vs 10.0%, P < 0.01), twin-twin transfusion syndrome (9.4% vs 1.4%, P < 0.01), placental abruption (5.2% vs 1.1%, P < 0.05), perinatal death (22.9% vs 4.4%, P < 0.01) and of fetal malformation (5.2% vs 1.3%, P < 0.01) than control group. In observed group, perinatal death was higher in smaller twin than in larger one (30.2% vs 15.6%, P < 0.05). The incidences of perinatal death were 4.4%, 11.0% and 41.9% and fetal malformation were 1.3%, 5.1% and 5.4% when the discordance was < or = 20%, 20%-30%, and > or = 30%, respectively (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Discordance places twins at increased risk for late abortion, premature delivery, polyhydramnios, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, placental abruption, perinatal death and fetal malformation. The smaller twin and great discordance are risk factors for poor outcomes. Chorionicity, methods of conception and fetal gender are not responsible for discordant growth.
Luo
Yan-min
YM
Fetal Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Fang
Qun
Q
Zhuang
Guang-lun
GL
Liang
Run-cai
RC
Chen
Yong-zhen
YZ
Chen
Min-Ling
ML
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth; D014427:Twins