title: Sonographic prediction of significant intertwin birth weight discordance.
abstract: 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%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Lung
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ting-Chang
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shuenn-Dyh
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Po-Jen
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: An-Shine
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Peter C C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Yung-Kuei
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Soong
mesh_terms: 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