Specific growth velocity reference charts for monochorionic twin pregnancies

Area of Science:

• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Prenatal diagnostics
• Twin pregnancy research

Background:

• Monochorionic (MC) twins require specific growth assessments due to shared placental circulation.
• Existing fetal growth charts may not accurately reflect the unique growth patterns of MC twins.
• Accurate fetal growth monitoring is crucial for identifying potential complications in twin pregnancies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish reference charts for fetal growth velocity in monochorionic twin pregnancies.
• To offer enhanced tools for evaluating fetal growth in MC twins.
• To investigate the added value of growth velocity in assessing fetal well-being.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of uncomplicated MC twin pregnancies with serial ultrasound data.
• Calculation of estimated fetal weight (EFW) using four biometric parameters.
• Application of multilevel linear regression to generate growth velocity charts.
• Examination of birth weight differences based on EFW and EFW velocity percentiles.

Main Results:

• Growth velocity charts for biparietal diameter and EFW were created for MC twins from 18 to 37 weeks.
• EFW velocity peaked around 36 weeks, then declined.
• Lowest birth weights were associated with both low EFW and low EFW velocity.
• Higher birth weights were observed when EFW velocity was above the 10th percentile, irrespective of EFW percentile.

Conclusions:

• Developed specific growth velocity reference charts for MC twins.
• These charts offer a valuable tool for precise fetal growth evaluation in MC twins.
• Fetal growth velocity provides additional, crucial information beyond EFW alone for monitoring twin pregnancies.