Very Low Birth Weight Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins as a Risk Factor for Symptomatic Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

BACKGROUND

Some prior studies have shown that symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) is highly familial. Although it is estimated that both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to sPDA, evidence is still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for sPDA, focusing on the genetic and in utero environment by analyzing very low birth weight (VLBW) singletons and twins.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study reviewed the medical records of 445 VLBW infants (25 weeks ≤ gestational age <32 weeks, 600 g ≤ birth weight <1,500 g) and compared the incidence of sPDA among monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins (n = 65), dichorionic diamniotic (DD) twins (n = 66), and singletons (n = 314).

RESULTS

Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that twin siblings (p = 0.001), gestational week (p < 0.001), antenatal steroid use (p = 0.021), and premature rupture of membranes (p = 0.002) were independent predictors of sPDA. Incidence of sPDA in MD twin siblings was significantly higher than that in singletons (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was found between singletons and DD twins or between MD and DD twins.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results show that being a VLBW MD twin is an independent risk factor for sPDA, and that both genetic and in utero environmental factors may contribute to its development.