Perinatal Outcomes According to Intrapair Birth Weight Difference in Twin Gestations

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine clinical significance of weight difference in twin pregnancies. Methods: The medical records of 157 sets of twin pregnancies delivered between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Birth weight differences were stratified 3 categries; 15% or less, 16-30%, 31%, or more. stastics and ANOVA was used. Results: The degree of difference correlated strongly with risk for SGA, RDS, Sepsis, Length of hospital stay, congenital anomaly, perinatal mortality but there were no increment in PDA and preterm delivery. There were no differences in outcomes for the smaller compared with larger twin of the twin pair. Maternal complications such as preeclampsia was increased in weight discordant twin. Conclusions: Twin birth weight difference was closely related to adverse perinatal outcome. In severe intrapair weight difference (31% or more), all cases showed fetal death, which means physicians need to consider pregnancy termination. Birth weight discordance was a very complex problem. In the management of discordant twin, more frequent antenatal care and closer observation was recommended.