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Congenital heart defects in a large, unselected cohort of monochorionic twins

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 457–461 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in a large, unselected cohort of monochorionic (MC) twins.

Study Design:

We completed a chart review of all MC twin pregnancies in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population from 1996 to 2003. CHDs were identified by diagnostic codes and confirmed by postnatal echocardiograms. Follow-up was obtained through one year of age.

Result:

A total of 926 liveborn MC twins met inclusion criteria. The prevalence of CHDs was 7.5%, 11.6 times the general population rate (CI 9.2 to 14.5). Septal defects were most common. 20% of infants with heart defects had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) versus 8% of infants without defects (P<0.01); this association remained significant when controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of CHDs in this large cohort of MC twins was significantly higher than the general population rate, with TTTS an added risk factor.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health System, San Diego, CA, USA

    K E Pettit

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    K E Pettit

  3. Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA

    M Merchant

  4. Department of Pathology; Edmonton, University of Alberta,

    G A Machin

  5. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    G A Machin

  6. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    T A Tacy

  7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    M E Norton

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  1. K E Pettit
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  2. M Merchant
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Correspondence to K E Pettit.

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Pettit, K., Merchant, M., Machin, G. et al. Congenital heart defects in a large, unselected cohort of monochorionic twins. J Perinatol 33, 457–461 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.145

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