The incidence of multiple pregnancies has increased dramatically over the last few years in developed countries, largely attributed to delayed childbearing and the increasing use of assisted reproduction technologies and ovulation inducing hormones. Relatively few countries have population-based statistics covering birth statistics. Of those that do, the numbers of quintuplet pregnancies rose sharply in the nineties while, at the same time, their delivery rates decreased greatly because of the use of fetal reduction. Fetal reduction is not possible or legal in some countries, Poland being one of them, and therefore obstetricians are faced with the challenges of quintuplet deliveries. Conservative treatment and management is difficult, and outcomes often vary greatly. Despite this, expert care provided at tertiary care centers can positively influence outcomes. The objective of this article is to present different care options and their consequences in two illustrative cases, as well as to establish a set of obstetric care and management goals that would allow prolongation of the gestation time. Quintuplet pregnancy is rare but poses relevant clinical problems to both the obstetrician and the neonatologist. It should be managed with close cooperation between all concerned. Due to the extreme and invariable risk of premature delivery associated with quintuplet pregnancies, we recommend early diagnosis, adequate prenatal care at one tertiary medical center, routine hospitalization and bed rest, repeated ante partum ultrasound surveillance with tests of fetal well-being, tocolytic therapy at first signs of the risk of premature labor, and specialized neonatology care after delivery.

We analyzed whether motor development in early life is different between singletons and triplets in Japan. The motor development was reported by mothers by postal questionnaire for 1,121 triplet children and in regular health check-ups for 13,906 singleton children. Children who were suspected of having neurological abnormality or disability were excluded from the analysis. The ages of milestone achievements were significantly higher in triplets for each outcome compared to singletons. Further, after adjustment for gestational age, birthweight, and birth length, the differences were significant for maintaining head, sitting alone and standing holding on. In children with birthweight of 2 kg or more, the ages of milestone achievements were significantly higher in triplets for each outcome compared to singletons, except walking holding on. Moreover, after adjustment for the confounding factors, the differences were significant for sitting alone and walking independently. On the contrary, singletons attained motor development facilitating crawling, walking holding on, and walking independently slower than triplets among those children with birthweight of 2 kg or less after adjustment for gestational age. In conclusion, triplets are overall at higher risk for the delay of gross motor milestones as compared to singletons independently of birth-related factors. In contrast, among children with a birthweight of less than 2 kg, singletons showed slower motor development than triplets after adjusting for gestational age. There is an obvious need to apply developmental standards that consider at least both multiple birth status (singleton, twin or triplet) and birthweight.

This study aims to determine whether fetal growth is related to insulin-like growth factor-1 in dichorionic and monochorionic twins and also aims to investigate the correlation of insulin-like growth factor-1 to birthweight discordance in twins. We studied 100 women with twin pregnancies. The correlation tests of 36 discordant twins (15 monochorionic, 21 dichorionic) showed correlation between insulin-like growth factor-1 difference and birthweight discordance (insulin-like growth factor-1 vs. birthweight of first twin, r = +0.915, at 0.01 level, IGF-1 vs birthweight of second twin r = +0.790, at 0.01 level). In 49 monochorionic twins, independent of discordance, there was a correlation between birthweight discordance and insulin-like growth factor-1 difference (r = .538, at the 0.01 level). This correlation was not significant in dichorionic twins, r = .144, p = .01. These data suggest that growth discordances of twins exposed to the same maternal environment may be due to variations in IGF-1, depending upon the genetic similarity.

Objective: To evaluate the perinatal outcome of MC twins with selective IUGR (sIUGR).

Study design: A prospective study, which included three groups of MC twins: Group A, uncomplicated MC twin pregnancies (n = 91); group B, sIUGR with normal umbilical artery Doppler (n = 19); and group C, sIUGR with abnormal (absence or reversed EDV) umbilical artery Doppler (n = 18). The latter were routinely hospitalized in the high-risk ward under strict surveillance.

Results: Neonatal outcome of fetuses complicated with sIUGR and normal Doppler was similar to controls. Neonates born to pregnancies complicated by sIUGR and abnormal Doppler had significantly increased incidence of CNS findings, RDS, NEC, sepsis, and neonatal death compared to controls. Adverse outcome in this group was independently associated only with gestational age at birth.

Conclusion: The perinatal outcomes of MC twins complicated with sIUGR and normal Doppler are similar to uncomplicated MC pregnancies. MC twins with sIUGR and abnormal Doppler have reasonable outcomes, yet significantly more neonatal complications compared to non-complicated MC twins.

To evaluate whether growth discordance is an independent risk factor in the neonatal outcome of the smaller twin, all medical records of twin pregnancies delivered between 26 and 41 weeks during a 5-year period (January 2004–December 2008) were reviewed. Among the 49 selected twins, weight discordance was 15–20% in 7 infants, 21–30% in 16 infants, 31–40% in 16 infants and > 40% in 10 infants. No significant differences between the four groups were found with regards to obstetric complications and neonatal disease. Occurrence of birthweight below the 10th percentile and rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit significantly increased as intra-pair birthweight difference increased (p = .03). The > 40% discordant group had a significantly lower gestational age (p = .03), lower birthweight (p = .007) and a significantly higher mortality rate (4/10 versus 3/39 p = .04) in comparison with the other discordant groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that birthweight was the single independent and consistent factor associated with elevated risks of mortality. For every 250 g increase in birthweight, the risk for mortality decreased by about 84% [RR 0.16(CI 0.00-0.70)]. Gestational age was the most reliable predictor for major neonatal complications. For every 1-week increase in gestational age a significant decreased risk for all outcomes was found. Discordance alone should not be considered as a predictor for adverse neonatal outcome. Neonatal outcome in discordant twins appears to be related to gestational age and birthweight rather than to the degree of discordance.

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship among umbilical venous volume flow, birthweight and placental share in monochorionic twins with or without selective growth restriction. Having excluded cases complicated with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and one co-twin suffering intrauterine fetal death, a total of 51 monochorionic twin pregnancies were divided into two groups as with (group 1) and without (group 2) selective intrauterine growth restriction. Umbilical venous volume flow was calculated by multiplying the umbilical vein cross-sectional area by half of the maximal velocity around mid-trimester. The placentas were cut along the vascular equator into two individual placental masses. The discordance of birthweight was calculated as [(birthweight of larger twin—birthweight of smaller twin)/birthweight of larger twin 100%]. The discordances of umbilical venous volume flow and placental share were calculated in a similar fashion. The median umbilical venous volume flow discordances (68.4% and 15.3% in groups 1 and 2 monochorionic twins, respectively) were similar and correlated well with the placental share discordances (66.6% and 18.5% in groups 1 and 2 monochorionic twins, respectively) but not with the birthweight discordance (28.6% and 6.4% in groups 1 and 2 monochorionic twins, respectively) in both groups. We concluded that the umbilical venous volume flow discordance reflects the placental share discordance rather than the birthweight discordance in monochorionic twin pregnancies.

We have observed the inconsistent findings from various studies on twin pregnancy outcomes obtained by assisted reproductive technology and spontaneous conception. In most studies, however, the concrete chorionicity, regarded as a confounding factor for predicting the perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies, has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes of only the dichorionic twin pregnancies according to the methods of conception: spontaneous and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The twin pairs with dichorionicity reported from 1995 to 2008 were investigated and we divided them into two groups which consisted of 286 and 134 twins by spontaneous conception and IVF, respectively. Odds ratios for associations between IVF and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed after adjustment for maternal age and parity. There were no risk differences between the two groups regarding the obstetric complications, which include preterm delivery, preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and abruption. Any differences were not shown in the two groups for the risk estimates of perinatal outcomes, such as low birthweight, very low birthweight, small for gestational age, Apgar scores of < 7 at 5 minutes, discordance in birthweights, congenital anomalies and mortality. However, twins conceived after IVF were less likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit than those conceived spontaneously (adjusted OR 0.488; 95% confidence interval 0.261–0.910). In the cases of dichorionic twins, IVF may not be associated with adverse perinatal and obstetric outcomes compared with spontaneous conception.

Objective: To compare the fetal loss rate of monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies according to their amnionicity. Methods: A retrospective review of all MC pregnancy outcomes in a tertiary centre. Pregnancy outcomes were compared for monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) versus monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies. Results: 29 MCMA and 117 MCDA twin pregnancies were identified. The overall fetal loss rate was significantly higher in MCMA (23/52, 44.2%) compared to MCDA pregnancies (28/233, 12%, Chi squared = 30.03, p < .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that fetal survival rate in MCDA twins were significantly higher than in MCMA twins (Log-rank Chi-squared = 27.9, p < .0005). Early pregnancy ultrasound identified the causes for these fetal losses in some MCMA twins. After exclusion of identifiable causes, the difference in fetal survival was not significant in the two groups (Log-rank chi-squared = 0.373, p = .54). Conclusion: The loss rate for MCMA twins is high and occurs mainly due to discordant congenital abnormality, conjoint twins or twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence. Although the fetal loss rate in MCDA is lower than in MCMA pregnancies, the majority of fetal loss in MCDA pregnancies cannot be predicted at the first scan at presentation. The data of this study questions the widespread policy of a difference in the scheduling of elective delivery for MCMA and MCDA twins.

This report presents the uncommon case of a 154-day delayed delivery in a spontaneous twin pregnancy associated with uterine atony. After abortion of the first fetus at 16 weeks, a healthy male was born at 38 weeks. Postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, which was successfully treated with prostaglandins, occurred.

We analyzed the characteristics associated with the growth in height of Japanese triplets from birth to 12 years of age. The study included 376 mothers and their 1,128 triplet children, who were born between 1978 and 2006. Data were collected through a mailed questionnaire sent to the mothers asking for information recorded in medical records. For these births, data on triplets' length and height growth, gestational age, sex, parity, maternal age at delivery, and maternal height were obtained from records in the Maternal and Child Health Handbooks and records in the school which children receive health check-ups. The height deficit of the triplets compared to the general population of Japan remained between 2% and 5% until 12 years of age. Moreover, at 12 years of age, the differences of height between the general population and triplets were approximately -3.6 cm for male and -4.4 cm for female. Maternal height showed the strongest contribution to height of triplets from 6 to 12 years of age. In conclusion, triplets remain shorter than singletons until 12 years of age.

The research implications and personal perspectives associated with twins' and families' self-reports of zygosity are reviewed. This is followed by summaries of recent research reports including a possible first case of the freemartin effect in humans, twin-singleton comparisons of mental health in Japanese students and mechanisms associated with ART-induced monozygotic twinning. A look at twin stories in the media includes the extraordinary revival of an infant male twin, the career decision of a pair of MZ twin basketball players and the loss of a five-year-old triplet.

The effect of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART ovulation stimulation fertility treatment on the number and rate of multiple live births from 1979–2008 in Japan was estimated using two independent data sources, ART statistics and vital statistics. Japanese ART statistics presented by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1989 and 2008 were gathered and reanalyzed. The number and rates of ART between 1984 and 1988 were interpolated using an approximation formula, using the values from 1983, when the first ART baby was born in Japan, and the 1989–1992 values. The number of ART multiples between 1979–1982 was set as equal to zero. The minimum (or maximum) number of non-ART iatrogenic multiple births was estimated by subtracting the maximum (or minimum) ART multiples from the total iatrogenic multiples, which was estimated by vital statistics assuming that spontaneous multiple-birth rates according to maternal age class would be constant. There was an overall increase in the non-ART multiple births during the 30-year period, whereas ART multiples tended to increase from 1983 to 2005, and then rapidly decreased thereafter. The number or percentage of ART multiples was almost consistently lower than that of non-ART multiples. The percentage of non-ART multiples (33%) among the total multiples was estimated to be about three times more than the ART multiples (11–12%) in 2008. Given the medical and social impact of multiple births, it is imperative to construct a hospital-based monitoring system for fertility treatments, specially non-ART fertility treatments and multiple births.

This study was conducted for the purpose of assessing, in the light of results of other research carried out in the present researchers' clinic and in Turkey, the status of twin pregnancies in Turkey, the incidence of twin births, perinatal and mortality rates associated with twin pregnancies, and the problems experienced in Turkey in cases of multiple and twin pregnancies. Materials and Methodology: The outcomes of twin births that occurred at the researchers' clinic during the period 2001–2009 were studied retrospectively. Seventeen studies conducted in Turkey on multiple and twin pregnancies during the years 1991–2010 were included in the study. Findings: It was observed that the mean multiple pregnancy rate in Turkey is 1.9% and the mean twin birth rate is 1.7%. It was also observed that a large majority (80–97.3%) of multiple pregnancies in Turkey are twin pregnancies. It was noted from Turkish literature that the mean gestational age of twins at birth varies between 33–36.2 weeks and that mean birthweights are 2065–2327 grams for the first-born twin and 1887–2262 grams for the second-born. These findings were observed to be lower than what is indicated in the literature. Perinatal and neonatal mortality, at 58–156/1000 and 40–98/1000 respectively, were seen to be higher than in the literature. Conclusion: It can be seen that preterm birth rates for twin pregnancies in Turkey are higher than what is indicated in the literature and that prenatal and neonatal mortality rates are also similarly higher.

The relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to unintentional injuries are of interest to families with young twins. A recent study found that childhood injuries are explained mostly by child-specific environmental factors. Next, twin research reviews of the association between periodontal disease and cancer, secular trends in gestational age and birthweight, and language development in hearing and deaf co-twins are also summarized. Interesting reports of newborn twins, twin-like relationships, twin interactions and missed twin relationships are presented.

In the past 50 years the incidence of multiple pregnancies has increased dramatically due almost exclusively to two factors: delayed childbearing and assisted reproductive techniques. In this paper we analyze the variations in the incidence of multiple gestations in Andalusia, one of the biggest administrative regions in Spain, over the last decade. Assisted reproduction techniques are very often evaluated only in terms of implantation and pregnancy rates per cycle, ignoring everything related to complications of multiple births, prematurity or economic overload. The rate of twins in Andalusia has increased from 10.9 per thousand in 2000 to 16.2 per thousand in 2009. The rate of triplet births has also increased in recent years. After a decline in 2003, motivated by promulgation of the first Human Assisted Reproduction Law, there was an increase after a second law came into effect in 2006. Health care spending attributable to the excess of multiple pregnancies reported in the decade 2000–2010 may have been much higher than €25 million.

Conjoined twins are rare, but craniopagus conjoined twins are rarer still. A pair of four-year-old craniopagus female twins with an unusual brain structure may offer new clues as to how the brain functions. This overview is followed by reviews of recent twin research on mothers of twins, twin transfusion syndrome, twin delivery options and twin literary themes. Relevant topics appearing in the media include twin tennis champions, twins' parallel lives and deaths, a new book for families with twins and a performance about a twin musical legend.