Neurosonographic assessment of twin pairs in the perinatal period.

Twins have higher rates of perinatal mortality, prematurity and its complications, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital anomalies and long-term developmental morbidity. In 31 twin pairs we evaluated the incidence and severity of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) and post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation. On ultrasonography minor PIVH (grades I and II) was observed in 26% of A twins and 25% of B twins (p less than 0.5). Major PIVH (grades III and IV) was less common, occurring in 3% of A twins and 6% of B twins (p less than 0.5). Ventriculomegaly, mostly regressive was equally distributed between the two groups of babies. From these results it can be concluded that with efficient antenatal care and skillful perinatal management of twin pregnancy, the incidence of major perinatal neurological complications such as PIVH and ventriculomegaly are not higher in the second-born twin.