Preterm twin and triplet pregnancies are at increased risk for the development of cystic periventricular leukomalacia.
BACKGROUND
An increased risk of cerebral palsy in multiples has been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk for the development of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) of twin and triplet pregnancy.


METHODS
Retrospective single-centre study at a tertiary care university hospital.


METHODS
Infants ≤ 35 weeks gestational age born between 1988 and 2008.


METHODS
Risk of twin and triplet compared to singleton pregnancy regarding development of PVL in one offspring.


RESULTS
Of 6195 infants 117 singletons and 39 multiples were diagnosed as having cystic PVL. Perinatal data did not differ as did not ultrasonographic findings and neurologic outcome. The relative risk (RR) of a twin pregnancy resulting in at least one infant with PVL when born prior to 36 weeks was 2.181 (CI 95% 1.474-3.228, p < .0001), and 6.793 (CI 95% 2.470-13.108, p < .0001) of a triplet pregnancy. In-vitro fertilisation was present in 3% of affected twins compared to 100% in triplets (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
We found an increased risk for PVL in preterm twin and triplet pregnancies.
Research Unit for Neonatal Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. bernhard.resch@medunigraz.at
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B
Resch
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Resch
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Freidl
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Maurer
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Haas
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W
Müller
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D059286:Pregnancy, Triplet; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D047928:Premature Birth; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014310:Triplets; D014427:Twins