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N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction

Journal of Perinatology volume 34, pages 6–10 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To compare serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels at birth between monochorionic diamniotic twins with and without selective intrauterine growth restriction.

Study Design:

Blood samples were collected from 73 monochorionic diamniotic twins without twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Two groups were studied on the basis of fetal ultrasonographic findings: 16 twins with and 57 twins without selective intrauterine growth restriction. Selective intrauterine growth restriction was defined as an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile in one twin at 18 to 26 weeks of gestation. Serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured.

Result:

Serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction were significantly higher than in those without selective intrauterine growth restriction. Selective intrauterine growth restriction was independently associated with increased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels.

Conclusion:

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels at birth are elevated in monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Kenji Kiyoshi for helpful discussion of perinatal management of MD twin pregnancies and Mr Kensuke Moriwaki for valuable advice on statistical analysis. This study was supported by grants for Scientific Research from Shinryokukai (KF), the Morinaga Hoshi-kai Foundation (KF) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (KF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital Perinatal Center, Kobe, Japan

    K Fujioka, M Mizobuchi, H Sakai, S Iwatani, K Wada, S Yoshimoto & H Nakao

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  1. K Fujioka
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  2. M Mizobuchi
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Correspondence to K Fujioka.

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Fujioka, K., Mizobuchi, M., Sakai, H. et al. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction. J Perinatol 34, 6–10 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.119

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