The pregnancy and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations: a multicenter prospective cohort study from the first trimester onward.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to document the pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcome in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies and to identify risk factors for death and impairment.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study of 136 monochorionic twins followed up from the first trimester until infancy.


RESULTS
A total of 122 (90%) pregnancies resulted in 2 survivors, 6 (4%) in 1 survivor and 8 (6%) in no survivor. In all, 230 (92%) of 250 surviving infants were assessed at a mean age of 24 months. Neurodevelopmental impairment was present in 22 (10%) infants. Death or impairment of 1 or both infants occurred in 28 (22%) of 126 pregnancies. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and assisted conception increased the risk of both death and impairment, whereas early-onset discordant growth only increased the risk of death.


CONCLUSIONS
The mortality in this prospective series was 8% and neurodevelopmental impairment occurred in 10% of infants.
Ortibus
Els
E
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
Lopriore
Enrico
E
Deprest
Jan
J
Vandenbussche
Frank P
FP
Walther
Frans J
FJ
Diemert
Anke
A
Hecher
Kurt
K
Lagae
Lieven
L
De Cock
Paul
P
Lewi
Paul J
PJ
Lewi
Liesbeth
L
D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002823:Chorion; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000401:mortality*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014427:Twins