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Updated: May 14, 2026
09:04
Guide Wire Assisted Catheterization and Colored Dye Injection for Vascular Mapping of Monochorionic Twin Placentas
Published on: September 5, 2011
Does risk of preeclampsia differ by twin chorionicity?
Teresa N Sparks1, Yvonne W Cheng, Ngoc Phan
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston, MA 02115, USA. tsparks@partners.org
Summary
Women with dichorionic (DC) twins have higher rates of preeclampsia, particularly mild preeclampsia, compared to those with monochorionic (MC) twins. This suggests potential differences in preeclampsia development mechanisms based on twin chorionicity.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Reproductive Medicine and Biology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a significant complication of pregnancy, with twin gestations carrying a higher risk.
- Twin pregnancies are classified by chorionicity: dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC), which may influence pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the incidence and severity of preeclampsia between dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies.
- To identify potential differences in preeclampsia development based on twin chorionicity.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study included 695 twin pregnancies between 2002 and 2007.
- DC twin pregnancies were compared against MC twin pregnancies.
- Preeclampsia development and severity were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively; analyses controlled for confounders.
Main Results:
- Any preeclampsia occurred in 21.1% of DC versus 10.8% of MC pregnancies (p=0.001).
- Mild preeclampsia was more frequent in DC (13.8%) compared to MC (4.9%) pregnancies (p=0.001).
- Severe preeclampsia rates were similar (7.3% DC vs. 5.9% MC, p=0.506); DC twins had higher odds of mild preeclampsia (aOR 5.85).
Conclusions:
- A significantly higher proportion of women with DC twins developed any preeclampsia and specifically mild preeclampsia compared to MC twins.
- After adjusting for confounders, DC pregnancies showed increased odds of developing mild preeclampsia versus MC pregnancies.
- Findings suggest that the mechanisms underlying preeclampsia development may differ according to twin chorionicity.
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