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B-type natriuretic peptide levels are correlated with birth-weight discordance in monochorionic-diamniotic twins without twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 182–187 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in umbilical cord blood (UCB) and amniotic fluid (AF) are correlated with birth-weight discordances in monochorionic-diamniotic twins.

Study Design:

The UCB–BNP and AF–BNP levels were determined at birth in 36 twin-pairs without twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Result:

Both the UCB–BNP and the AF–BNP levels were significantly higher among twins with either a birth-weight discordance ⩾20% (141.6 versus 52.9 pg ml−1 for UCB–BNP, 38.0 versus 17.2 pg ml−1 for AF–BNP) or cardiac dysfunction at birth (167.2 versus 56.3 pg ml−1 for UCB–BNP, 34.9 versus 19.0 pg ml−1 for AF–BNP), compared with neonates without the respective characteristics. The UCB–BNP and AF–BNP levels in both the larger and the smaller twins were significantly correlated with birth-weight discordance.

Conclusion:

Cardiac dysfunction occurs in both larger and smaller co-twins with increasing birth-weight discordances, even in the absence of TTTS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan

    A Moriichi, K Cho, Y Furuse, T Akimoto & Y Kaneshi

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

    T Yamada, M Morikawa, T Yamada & H Minakami

Authors
  1. A Moriichi
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  2. K Cho
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  3. Y Furuse
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  4. T Akimoto
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  5. Y Kaneshi
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  7. M Morikawa
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  8. T Yamada
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  9. H Minakami
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Correspondence to A Moriichi.

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Moriichi, A., Cho, K., Furuse, Y. et al. B-type natriuretic peptide levels are correlated with birth-weight discordance in monochorionic-diamniotic twins without twin–twin transfusion syndrome. J Perinatol 33, 182–187 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.94

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