Outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with selective intrauterine growth restriction, a single center study in China

Introduction This retrospective study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). Materials and methods MCDA twins, either sIUGR and non-sIUGR, underwent expectant management from 2016 to 2019 in our hospital were included. sIUGR fetuses were classified into three types according to umbilical artery Doppler assessment. Non-sIUGR were considered as the control group. Outcomes were pregnancy outcomes and maternal complications. Results Forty-three sIUGR (type I: 23; type II: 14, and type III: 6) and 282 non-sIUGR fetuses were included. The sIUGR group had a significantly earlier birth, lower birth weight of the twins, larger inter-twin weight difference, lower Apgar score of the twins, and higher intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) than the non-sIUGR group (all p < 0.001). The same trend was found in the sIUGR type II group compared to type I and III groups. A significantly lower gestational diabetes rate (p = 0.01) and placenta weight (p < 0.001), and higher proportions of abnormal placental umbilical cord insertion (p < 0.001), and ultrasound Doppler monitoring indicators (p = 0.006) were found in the sIUGR group than the non-sIUGR group. Conclusions The MCDA twins with sIUGR showed poorer outcomes than the non-sIUGR group. Doppler interrogation was a useful clinical marker for fetal outcome.