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Optimal threshold for birth weight discordance: Does knowledge of chorionicity matter?

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 704–712 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To establish the optimal threshold of birth weight discordance (BWD) for prediction of stillbirth, perinatal mortality and morbidity in twins born in British Columbia with or without chorionicity information.

Study Design:

This is a retrospective population-based cohort study of twins born in British Columbia from 2000 to 2010. Data from one hospital was used to adjust for chorionicity. Multivariate generalized estimating equation and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the predictability of BWD in comparison with other fetal anthropometric measurements. Positive likelihood ratio is used to estimate test accuracy. Survival analysis was conducted to take gestational age and other confounders into account.

Results:

We analyzed two cohorts, with (pairs=1493) and without (pairs=6328) chorionicity information, of which 1.5% experienced stillbirth, 2.9% suffered perinatal mortality and 22.6% identified with perinatal morbidities. BWD was a significant predictor of stillbirth. Standard receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and survival analysis suggested that BWD of ⩾30% is the optimal thresholds for stillbirth and perinatal mortality irrespective of chorionicity. However, the P-value for predictive accuracy of BWD was nonsignificant for perinatal morbidity, after adjusting for confounding variables engaging multivariate analysis. Sex discordance can be used as a proxy for chorionicity.

Conclusion:

BWD is a good predictor for stillbirth. A BWD cutoff limit of 30% and higher has optimal accuracy for detecting perinatal mortality.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, Dr Patricia Spittal and Dr Martin Schechter, the members of thesis research committee, for the PhD program. This study was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MAH-115445). We thank Dr. K.S. Joseph for providing such opportunity.

Disclaimer

All inferences, opinions and conclusions drawn in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions or policies of the Data Steward(s).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    S Jahanfar & E Oviedo-Joekes

  2. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    K Lim

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  1. S Jahanfar
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Correspondence to S Jahanfar.

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Jahanfar, S., Lim, K. & Oviedo-Joekes, E. Optimal threshold for birth weight discordance: Does knowledge of chorionicity matter?. J Perinatol 36, 704–712 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.82

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