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Twin birth-weight discordancy in Transkei
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Transkei.
A study of twin birth-weight discordancy revealed a high incidence of 11.7% (1 in 9 deliveries) among 478 pairs of twins delivered. The second twin had a lower birth weight and a poorer perinatal outcome, as does the smaller twin irrespective of birth order. Major birth-weight discrepancies were found in dichorionic twins. In twins of unlike sex, males were heavier, irrespective of birth order, which suggests that fetal gender may be an important aetiological factor. It is suggested that growth retardation of one of a pair of twins, rather than twin transfusion syndrome, is a more important contributor to birth-weight discordancy.
A study of twin birth-weight discordancy revealed a high incidence of 11.7% (1 in 9 deliveries) among 478 pairs of twins delivered. The second twin had a lower birth weight and a poorer perinatal outcome, as does the smaller twin irrespective of birth order. Major birth-weight discrepancies were found in dichorionic twins. In twins of unlike sex, males were heavier, irrespective of birth order, which suggests that fetal gender may be an important aetiological factor. It is suggested that growth retardation of one of a pair of twins, rather than twin transfusion syndrome, is a more important contributor to birth-weight discordancy.