Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T11:04:58.484Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Acid-Base Differences in Preterm and Term Twin Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

S.A. Ordorica*
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, USA
I.A. Hoskins
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, USA
B.K. Young
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, USA
*
New York University Medical Center, 530 First Avenue, Suite 5 F, New York, NY 10016, USA

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A prospective study was undertaken which examined 179 sets of twins, 68 premature (less than 36 weeks of gestation) and 111 term. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the acid-base status between twins related to gestational age, birth order and the time interval between twin births. Although the twin blood-gas data is within the range considered normal, statistically significant differences favoring the first-born were noted for both preterm and term twins. These differences do not depend on gestational age, route of delivery or presentation, and become evident when the interval between twin births exceeds one minute. We postulate that after delivery of the first twin, the reduced uterine size causes a decrease in the intervillous blood flow and consequently a reduction in the respiratory exchange between the second fetus, still in utero, and its placenta.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1991

References

REFERENCES

1. Antoine, C, Young, BK (1982): Fetal lactic acidosis with epidural anesthesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 142:55.Google Scholar
2. Chervenak, FA, Johnson, RE, Youcha, S, Hobbins, JC, Berkowitz, RI (1985): Intrapartum management of twin gestations. Obstet Gynecol 65:119124.Google Scholar
3. Gutmacher, AF, Khol, SG (1958): The fetus of multiple gestations. Obstet Gynecol 12:528.Google Scholar
4. McCarthy, BJ, Sachs, BP, Loyde, PM, Burton, A, Terry, JS, Rochat, R (1981): The epidemiology of neonatal death in twins. Am J Obstet Gynecol 141:252.Google Scholar
5. Naeye, RL, Tafari, N, Judge, D, Marboe, CC (1978): Twins: Causes of perinatal death in 12 United States cities and one African city. Am J Obstet Gynecol 131:267.Google Scholar
6. Nakano, R, Takemura, H (1988): Birth order in delivery of twins. Gynecol Obstet Invest 25:217222.Google Scholar
7. Ogata, ES, Kitterman, JA, Kleinberg, F, et al (1977): Effect of cord clamping and maternal blood pressure on placental transfusion with cesarean section. Am J Obstet Gynecol 128:197.Google Scholar
8. Rayburn, WF, Lavin, JP, Miodovnik, M, Varner, MW (1984): Multiple gestation: Time interval between delivery of the first and second twins. Obstet Gynecol 63:502506.Google Scholar
9. Saling, E (1976): Possible errors in fetal blood analysis and their prevention. In Gluck, L (ed): Modern Perinatal Medicine. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers, pp 149162.Google Scholar
10. Silverman, F, Antoine, C, Young, BK (1982): Fetal blood analysis. I. Effect of delayed collection. Diagn Gynecol Obstet 4:31.Google Scholar
11. Whyshak, G, White, C (1963): Birth hazards of the second twin, Jama 186:869.Google Scholar
12. Young, BK, Suidan, JS, Antoine, C (1985):Differences in twins: The importance of birth order. Am J Obstet Gynecol 151:915.Google Scholar