Recurrent Spontaneous Twinning

Abstract

AbstractThe perinatal outcome of seven recurrent twin deliveries after 28 weeks gestation, was compared to the first twin delivery and to randomly selected controls matched for parity, maternal age and gestational age. The outcome of the recurrent twin gestation was associated with significantly increased gestational age (P < 0.04) and mean twin birth weight (P < 0.05) compared to the first twin pregnancy. When compared to controls matched for maternal age and gestational age they were of significantly higher parity (P < 0.005) but had otherwise similar obstetric characteristics as when compared to controls matched for parity. These data suggest a better outcome for the recurrent compared to the first twin gestation. The frequencies of repeat twinning (0.0165% of all deliveries) and the calculated probability of having by chance a recurrent twin delivery were significantly different (P < 10−6) suggesting that both deliveries may be stochastically dependent events.