The Iranian Newborn Multiples Registry (IRNMR): a registry protocol

Abstract

Purpose: Over the last decades, several twin/multiples registries have been developed worldwide, mostly concentrated in Europe and high-income countries (HICs). In Iran, we lack accurate nationwide epidemiological and biobank data on twins. We established the Iranian Newborn Multiples Registry (IRNMR) to evaluate the role of genetics and environmental factors in the variation of phenotypes among newborn monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. IRNMR is a multicenter hospital-based registry. Materials and methods: In the pilot phase, we collected epidemiological data from multiples born in Imam Khomeini Hospital complex and Aban Hospital located in Tehran, the capital of Iran, with a population exceeding 8 million, Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad, Razavi Khorasan, and Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran. Results: The IRNMR has recruited 457 sets of newborn twins and multiples so far. We hold follow-up sessions by mother and child health professionals to monitor multiples' growth, development, diseases, and mortality. Conclusions: We successfully developed a newborn multiples registry in Iran. This registry will create an invaluable database to study the relative influence of genes and environmental factors on various chronic diseases, growth, development, and behavioral disorders. We intend to collaborate with other centers to develop a large multicenter nationwide multiple birth registry and biobank in Iran.

Keywords:

• Multiple birth
• twins
• monozygotic
• twins
• dizygotic
• twin registry
• multiples registry
• registries

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to appreciate all medical staff, healthcare providers, and interviewers at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Aban Hospital, Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, and Shahid Sadoughi Hospital for their contribution to the study. We would also like to thank volunteer twins' and multiples' families who participate in the registry.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors' contributions

KZ, HA, and RB conceived the registry and designed the experiments. KZ, RB, MSH, and SR are carrying out the research. SR prepared the first draft of the protocol. RB and KZ contributed to the preparation of the final version. All authors were involved in the revision of the draft manuscript and have agreed to the current version.