Chorionicity, birth weight discordance and neonatal morbidity in uncomplicated twin pregnancies delivered from 36 weeks

Objectives: To investigate the association between chorionicity, birth weight discordance and neonatal morbidity in uncomplicated twin pregnancies progressing to at least 36 weeks of gestation. Study design: This was a retrospective single centre cohort study of all twin pregnancies referred to our twin clinic between 2011 and 2018. Outcome details were obtained from the computerized maternity and neonatal records. The primary outcome was incidence of composite neonatal morbidity according to chorionicity. We also determined the incidence of composite neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with birth weight discordance. Logistic regression was used to identify and adjust for potential confounders. Results: Three hundred and eighty-five twin pregnancies (286 dichorionic, 99 monochorionic) were included. Gestational age at birth was significantly lower in pregnancies complicated by neonatal morbidity (p = 0.013) compared with those which were not. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, gestational age at birth (p = 0.031) and birth weight discordance (p = 0.004), but not chorionicity (p = 0.626) were independently associated with neonatal morbidity. Conclusion(s): In uncomplicated twin pregnancies chorionicity is not associated with neonatal morbidity. Gestational age at birth is the major determinant of neonatal outcome while the clinical impact of weight discordance seems marginally significant.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association between chorionicity, birth weight discordance, and neonatal morbidity in uncomplicated twin pregnancies. The results showed that chorionicity was not associated with neonatal morbidity, while gestational age at birth was the major determinant of neonatal outcome.