Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c47g7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T19:19:45.408Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Foetal growth velocities in twin pregnancies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

P Owen
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland.
GJ Mires
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland.

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 retrospective longitudinal study was performed to quantify foetal growth velocities in twin pregnancies and to determine the effect of variables specific to twin pregnancies on growth velocity. Foetal growth velocity standard deviation (Z) scores were calculated from serial ultrasound data using published singleton reference data for 131 consecutive sets of twins from 30 to 37 weeks' gestation. Compared with low-risk pregnancies, the twin foetal abdominal area growth velocity Z scores were significantly reduced from 30 to 37 weeks and biparietal diameter growth velocity Z scores were also significantly lower, from 30 to 33 weeks. Amongst the twin pairs there were no significant differences in Z scores with respect to chorionicity, foetal sex, birth order to whether delivery was premature or term. This retrospective study has demonstrated that twin foetal growth velocity is reduced when compared to singletons from at least as early as 30 weeks' gestation. Twin specific variables such as chorionicity, sex, birth order and subsequent premature birth do not need to be accounted for in the interpretation of growth velocities in twins. The clinical importance of determining foetal growth velocity in twin pregnancies awaits further prospective study.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998