The pregnancy and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations: a multicenter prospective cohort study from the first trimester onward.

  • Els Ortibus
  • Enrico Lopriore
  • Jan Deprest
  • Frank P Vandenbussche
  • Frans J Walther
  • Anke Diemert
  • Kurt Hecher
  • Lieven Lagae
  • De Cock Paul
  • Paul J Lewi
  • Liesbeth Lewi

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We sought to document the pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcome in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies and to identify risk factors for death and impairment. STUDY DESIGN: 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. CONCLUSION: The mortality in this prospective series was 8% and neurodevelopmental impairment occurred in 10% of infants.

Bibliographical data

Original languageGerman
Article number5
ISSN0002-9378
Publication statusPublished - 2009
pubmed 19375567