Sonographic prediction of significant intertwin birth weight discordance.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of sonographic prediction of significant birth weight discordance in twin pregnancies.


METHODS
Included in the study were live twin pairs with a gestational age of 24 weeks at birth who had received a sonographic examination within 28 days of delivery. Correlation tests and ROC curves were used to evaluate the predictability of significant intertwin growth discordance.


RESULTS
A total of 575 twin pregnancies were included in the study. The estimated discordance by sonographic examination proved to be an effective predictor of discordant twin growth. The birth weight discordance estimated by sonography tended to underestimate the degree of discordant twins.


CONCLUSIONS
If a sonographic examination is done within 28 days of delivery, it is a reliable predictor of twin birth weight discordance at the following levels: 15%, 20%, 25% or 30%. In order to obtain a higher sensitivity, the cut-off value of estimated birth weight discordance needs to be decreased by 5%.
Chang
Yao-Lung
YL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Chang
Ting-Chang
TC
Chang
Shuenn-Dyh
SD
Cheng
Po-Jen
PJ
Chao
An-Shine
AS
Hsieh
Peter C C
PC
Soong
Yung-Kuei
YK
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014427:Twins; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal