The small-for-gestational-age twin: blessing or curse?
OBJECTIVE
To compare small-for-gestational-age (SGA) twins to appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) twins regarding preterm delivery (PTD).


METHODS
Retrospective review of maternal and neonatal records of live, nonanomalous twins > or = 25 weeks' gestation delivered in 1984-2000 in a tertiary care center. Pregnancies (N = 679) were divided into AGA/ AGA (n = 347), SGA-AGA (n = 191) and SGA/SGA (n = 141) groups using singleton growth curves. The PTD rate was compared and logistic regression analysis was done to study factors that influenced PTD at < or = 34 weeks. p < 0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
The PTD rate at < or = 34 weeks was AGA/AGA (38.6%), SGA-AGA (14.7%) and SGA/SGA (1.4%) (p < 0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis, discordance significantly increased PTD (OR = 5.05, 2.47-10.31, p = 0.001), while smallness for gestational age significantly decreased PTD (OR = 0.095, 0.05-0.17, p < 0.001). The PTD rate increased directly with the increase in the relative overall weight of the twins.


CONCLUSIONS
The PTD rate is higher in AGA twins as compared to SGA twins. The PTD rate is directly related to the overall weight of the twins.
Usta
Ihab M
IM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Harb
Tarek S
TS
Rechdan
Johnny B
JB
Suidan
Fayez G
FG
Nassar
Anwar H
AH
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins