Neonatal outcomes between discordant monochorionic and dichorionic twins

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to compare obstetrical complications and neonatal outcomes between monochorionic and dichorionic discordant twin pregnancies.

Study design

We enrolled 296 patients with twin pregnancy who delivered at Busan Paik Hospital between January 2014 and December 2017. The prevalence of obstetrical complications, neonatal mortality between monochorionic and dichorionic twins was compared. We also investigated whether there is a difference in neonatal outcome and neonatal morbidity between monochorionic discordant twins without monochorionic-specific complications and dichorionic discordant twins.

Results

The risk of fetal death in utero (13.2 versus 5.2%, p = .025) and inter twin birth weight discordance (35.1 versus 20.8%, p = .031) is increased in monochorionic twins than in dichorionic twins. However, no difference was noted in obstetrical complication and neonatal mortality and morbidity between two groups. Among twin pregnancies with intertwin birth weight discordance, after excluding fetal death in utero and monochorionic specific complication, there was no difference in obstetrical complication and neonatal mortality and morbidity according to chorionicity. There was no difference in neonatal morbidity between monochorionic twins and dichorionic twins when comparing larger neonates and smaller neonates of each group.

Conclusions

Risk of birth weight discordance is higher in monochorionic twin but no significant difference was observed in maternal outcomes, neonatal mortality and morbidity between noncomplicated monochorionic and dichorionic discordant twins.

Keywords:

• Chorionicity
• dichorionic twin
• discordant twin
• monochorionic twin
• perinatal mortality
• twin pregnancy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.