Does birth weight discordance in preterm twins affect neonatal outcome?
OBJECTIVE
To compare neonatal morbidity and mortality between hospitalized discordant and concordant preterm twin pairs.


METHODS
This was a retrospective, hospital-based study of preterm twins, followed in neonatal intensive care unit. Twins were classified as discordant when the difference in birth weight was >15%. Morbidity and mortality rates were compared between discordant and concordant groups.


RESULTS
Of 136 preterm twins in the study, 54 were discordant and 82 were concordant. In discordant twins hypoglycemia and cesarean delivery rate was higher than concordant pairs. The mortality rate did not differ between concordant and discordant groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Hospitalized preterm discordant twin pairs have an increased risk of hypoglycemia compared to concordants. Discordant growth is not a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality.
Kilic
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology Unit, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Aygun
C
C
Kaynar-Tunçel
E
E
Küçüködük
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins