The association of crown-rump length discordance in twin gestations with adverse perinatal outcomes

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Oct;197(4):369.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2007.06.024.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the crown-rump length (CRL) difference in twin gestations and adverse pregnancy outcome.

Study design: Women with a first trimester ultrasound scan of a twin pregnancy who delivered between June 2000 and March 2006 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital were identified. The association between the difference in CRLs and pregnancy outcomes was explored.

Results: For the 178 twins who were eligible for the study, the median difference in CRLs was 4.2% and the median difference in birthweights was 9.3%. Twins with a CRL difference of >85th percentile (11.1%) were more likely to have discordant birthweights and to have at least 1 of the pair be small-for-gestational age, be admitted to the special care nursery, and have perinatal morbidity.

Conclusion: CRL differences of >85th percentile are associated with several measures of adverse perinatal outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apgar Score
  • Birth Weight
  • Congenital Abnormalities / diagnosis
  • Crown-Rump Length*
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Fetal Development / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Twins