Birthweight percentiles for twin birth neonates by gestational age in China

Abstract

Localized birthweight references for gestational ages serve as an essential tool in accurate evaluation of atypical birth outcomes. Such references for twin births are currently not available in China. The aim of this study was to construct up-to-data sex specific birth weight references by gestational ages for twin births in China. We conducted a population-based analysis on the data of 22,507 eligible living twin infants with births dated between 8/01/2006 and 8/31/2015 from all 95 hospitals within the Wuhan area. Gestational ages in complete weeks were determined using a combination of last-menstrual-period based (LMP) estimation and ultrasound examination. Smoothed percentile curves were created by the Lambda Mu Sigma (LMS) method. Reference of the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th percentiles birth weight by sex and gestational age were made using 11,861 male and 10,646 female twin newborns with gestational age 26–42 weeks. Separate birthweight percentiles curves for male and female twins were constructed. In summary, our study firstly presents percentile curves of birthweight by gestational age for Chinese twin neonates. Further research is required for the validation and implementation of twin birthweight curves into clinical practice.

Percentile charts of twin birthweight

“…9 Many studies have underlined the need for a separate estimation for multiples of a reliable range of normal values for fetal and newborn anthropometry. 10,[12][13][14][15][16]20,24 This paper presents a set of gestational age standards for twin infant birthweight. The present results confirm the basic principle of the lower birthweight of twins compared with singletons.…”

“…Separate percentile charts enable objective evaluation of the incidence of hypotrophy, hypertrophy or eutrophy in this group of children. Population-based birthweight standards for twins have been estimated and updated in several countries, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] but no current standards exist for many European countries, especially considering the countries of Central Europe. A need therefore exists for the creation of widespread standards for infants of multiple pregnancies.…”

Pre-Twin Screen - A Multi-Disciplinary Approach for a Personalized Prenatal Diagnostics and Care for Twin Pregnancies

“…Many aspects contribute to the special needs of twins for prenatal personalized medicine as specified in the background. Twins have a 3-9 times higher prevalence of major feto-maternal complications (PTD, PE, IUGR, GDM), frequently ends with low birth weight, cerebral palsy, long stay in NICU, and the lifelong complications that generate heavy economic and emotional burden for individuals, families and the society [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Twin mothers are often at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity that shorten their life expectancy by at least a decade [1].…”

Peculiarities of Pregnancy and Conditions of Newborns in a Group of Twin Pregancies With Different Placentation Forms

“…Багатоплідна вагітність (БВ) у людини зустрічається в 0,7-4,0% випадків. Частота народження монозиготних двійнят більш менш стабільна у представників різних рас -приблизно 4 на 1000 пологів [18,47]. В той же час спостерігається суттєва варіабельність у кількості дизиготних двієнь в різних расових групах.…”

“…Таким чином, головними причинами зростання кількості БВ вважають [23,34] Відомо, що вагітності двійнями незалежно від способу запліднення (спонтанне або з використанням допоміжних методів) пов'язані з підвищеним акушерським та перинатальним ризиком [21,34], включаючи більшу частоту мертвонароджень [38,47]. За даними деяких авторів, вона може збільшитися в 5 разів [39], порівняно з одноплідними вагітностями (ОВ).…”