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Updated: May 29, 2026

Guide Wire Assisted Catheterization and Colored Dye Injection for Vascular Mapping of Monochorionic Twin Placentas
Published on: September 5, 2011
Risk of preterm delivery and growth restriction in twins discordant for structural anomalies
Lorie M Harper1, Anthony O Odibo, Kimberly A Roehl
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, MO, USA.
Objective:
We sought to determine whether twin gestations with an anomalous fetus are at increased risk of preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared to twins with 2 normal fetuses.
Study Design:
This was a retrospective cohort of twins undergoing ultrasound 15-22 weeks' gestation. Groups were defined by the presence of 1 twin with a major anomaly (discordant) or by twins with no major anomalies (normal). The primary outcomes were preterm delivery (<37 weeks) and IUGR (<10th percentile).
Results:
Of 1977 twin pregnancies, 66 had a twin with a major anomaly. Preterm delivery occurred in 42 (63.6%) discordant twins, compared to 1271 (66.5%) normal twins (risk ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.2). IUGR was diagnosed in 15 (22.7%) normal co-twins, compared to 406 (21.3%) presenting twins in normal twins (risk ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.7).
Conclusion:
Twins discordant for major anomalies are not at increased risk of preterm delivery or IUGR compared to twins with no major anomalies.
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