All issues > Volume 32(3); 1989

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1989;32(3):331-341. Published online March 31, 1989.

Clinical Study on Twins.

C H Han¹, W H Kwon¹, H R Jung¹, S Y Kim¹, Y D Kwon¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Catholic Hospital, Taegu, Korea

Received: July 1, 1988;  Accepted: September 26, 1988.

Abstract

We observed 150 twin cases over 26 weeks gestational age among 8,328 deliveries which were born from 75 Korean twin pregnancies at Catholic Hospital. Taegu during 5 years from Jan. 1981 to Dec. 1985. retrospectively. We investigated survey of twin delivery on various aspects as same manner as singletons. which was incidence of twin deliveries, body weight with gestational age, body weight difference between co-twins, neonatal mortality rate. one min. Apgar score. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The overall incidence of twins was 1:111 (0.9%). 2) The average male.female sex ratio of twins was 1.5: 1. Total same sex pairs ratio was 86.6% (M.M & F.F) and different sex ratio was 13.4% (M.F). 3) The most common age interval of mothers in twin pregnancy was between 25 years old and 29 years old and the incidence of twin delivery tended to be more prevalent in primigravidas. 4) 62.7% of distribution of birth weight was below 2,500 gm. Weight gain rate showed correlation with gestational age, generally. (1) Mean birth weight of twins related to gestational age showed relative high level at 37 weeks of gestation as 2,612±295 gm and peak level was observed at 40 weeks of gestation as 2,652±501 gm. (2) Male twin recorded relative high level at 37 gestational weeks as 2,621±308 gm and recorded peak level at 40 gestational weeks as 2,801±573 gm. Female twins recorded peak level at 37 ges- tational weeks as 2,593±294 gm and showed relative high level at 39 gestational weeks as 2,533±381 gm. (3) First twins showed relative high level at 37 wks. as 2,610±228 gm and showed peak level at 40 wks. as 2,833±315 gm. Second twins showed relative high level at 37 wks. as 2.613±364 gm and recorded peak level at 39 wks. as 2,619±410 gm. 5) In comparison of birth weight between co-twins. 1st-born twin was heavier than 2nd-born twin at 53.3% and there was about one-half a situation less than 10% difference in body weight between co-twins. 2nd-born twin was heavier than 1st-born twin at 42.7% and same birth weight was 3 cases. 6) Neonatal mortality rate was 93.3% which was inversely to gestational age and birth weight. Most deaths were attributable to prematurity and low biπh weight. 7) At 1 min, over 7 Apgar score were present in 66% of twins and between 3 and 7 score were present in 33% of twins. Neonates weighing more than 2,500 gm and over 37 gestational age recorded higher 1 min. Apgar score. 8) The numbers of twin on admission were 65 cases (43.3%). The most prevalent etiologic factor responsible for admission of twins was prematurity (38 cases). followed by hyperbilirubinemia (28 cases). low birth weight (16 cases). and sepsis (16 cases) in the decreasing order. Laboratory finding of admitted twins was hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia.

Keywords :Twins. Clinical