Maternal weight gain patterns and birth weight outcome in twin gestation

To evaluate the association between maternal weight gain patterns, based on pregravid body mass index (BMI) and birth weight outcome in twins, and to make specific recommendations for maternal weight gain during twin gestation.

One hundred eighty-nine twin pregnancies were reviewed retrospectively. Weekly rates of maternal weight gain before 20 weeks, from 20 weeks to delivery, and for total gestation were calculated. Thresholds of weekly maternal weight gain were determined for underweight and normal-weight women.

In underweight women, a higher weekly rate of gain before 20 weeks was associated with the birth of both twins weighing at least 2500 g (1.13 versus 0.70 lb/week, P = .017), when compared with mothers of at least one twin weighing less than 2500 g. A higher rate of weight gain from 20 weeks to delivery was associated with the delivery of twins weighing at least 2500 g in both underweight (1.92 versus 1.29 lb/week, P = .031) and normal weight (1.63 versus 1.29 lb/week, P = .046) women. No significant differences in weight gain patterns were found between overweight women delivering twins weighing less than 2500 g or at least 2500 g. A weekly rate of gain from 20 weeks' gestation to delivery of at least 1.75 lb/week in underweight women and at least 1.50 lb/week in normal-weight women was associated with the birth of both twins weighing at least 2500 g. After controlling for other potential determinants of birth weight, the threshold of 1.75 lb/week in underweight women showed a trend toward significance as an independent predictor of both twins weighing at least 2500 g (P = .06).

Certain maternal weight gain patterns during twin pregnancy are associated with the birth of each twin weighing at least 2500 g. As with singletons, recommendations for maternal weight gain during twin pregnancy can be based on pregravid BMI.