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Am J Perinatol 1987; 4(3): 220-224
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999777
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1987 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Intracranial Hemorrhage in Low-Birth-Weight Twins During Neonatal Period

Mehmet Y. Dincsoy, Young M. Kim, Ester Ponce, Howard Williams, Syamala K. Naroji
  • The Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, and Department of Radiology of Nassau County Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, and Health Sciences Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Since twins have a higher incidence of premature birth, fetal distress, asphyxia and other pre- and intrapartum high-risk factors, it is reasonable to expect that they may be vulnerable to intracranial hemorrhage. Forty-seven pairs of low-birth-weight twins were studied during the newborn period by serial cranial ultrasound. The comparisons of groups, based on birth order, relative size of the neonates, and the mode of delivery, showed no significant difference in the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage between first and second twins, smaller and larger twins, or vaginal and cesarean delivery. However, the comparison based on the presentation of the infant revealed a significantly higher number of intracranial hemorrhages within the first week of life in the breech group than in the cephalic presentation group. The adverse effect of breech presentation on intracranial hemorrhage did not appear to be mediated by the well recognized risk factors such as lower gestational age, lower Apgar scores, and higher incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and assisted ventilation. Since most of the twins with ICH had breech presentation and were delivered by cesarean section, this mode of delivery does not seem to protect the twins with breech presentation from intracranial hemorrhage.

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