Evaluation for Patterns of the Maternal Weight changes and the Twin Weight Discordance Changes during whole Pregnant Periods

Baek, Min Jung; Lee, Kyung Ju; Kang, Suk Ho; Lee, Kyoung Jin; Park, Sang Won; Hahn, Won Bo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the patterns of changes in maternal weight and fetal weight discordance in twin pregnancies during consecutive gestational periods.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was done for a total of 148 twin pregnancies taken care of throughout pregnancies between February 2002 and May 2004. They were divided into two groups; group A consisting of 109 cases without postnatal complications and with no more than 25% twin weight discordance at birth, and group B consisting of 39 cases with more than 25% twin weight discordance. Both ultrasound examination and maternal weight measurement were conducted in the three gestational intervals; between prepregnant times to gestational age 18 weeks, between gestational ages 18 to 28 weeks, and from gestational age 28 weeks to delivery.
RESULTS
Except for maternal weights, none of the pregnancy factors such as maternal age, parity, gravity, height, prepregnant weight, duration of pregnancy, natural or artificial pregnant status, gender and chorionicity showed any significant difference by means between the two groups. The maternal BMI of the group A vs. the group B at the first, the second, and the third period were 0.53+/-0.10% and 2.01+/-1.28%, 2.97+/-0.11% and 4.84+/-1.23%, and 3.29+/-0.16% and 2.15+/-0.63% respectively. Inter-twin weight discordances between the two groups were 8.29+/-0.67% vs. 11.26+/-1.25 %, 7.79+/-0.05% vs. 11.03+/-1.36%, and 9.07+/-0.55% vs. 32.79+/-1.13%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Although several factors that affect twin weight discordance may be considered, we showed that the pattern of maternal weight gain during the gestational period is associated with the estimated values of twin weight discordances in the first gestational period.