Birthweight Discordant Twins – A Case Report of a Distinct Clinical Entity

Abstract

Abstract
Globally, twin births have doubled in the past 25 years and currently, 3% of the world’s newborns are twins. Twins with birth weight difference of 15- 40 % calculated from the weight of the larger twin are said to be discordant in weight.  Documentation of it and its attendant morbidity and mortality is sparse in our environment. The objective of this report is to highlight birthweight discordance as a distinct clinical entity in multifetal gestation. We present a set of dichorionic female twins delivered to a 40-year old G₁₇P₁₁⁺⁵ via emergency caesarean section on account fetal distress, hypertension, grand multiparity and poorly controlled diabetes. Twin 1 had APGAR score of 7¹, 8⁵ and 9¹⁰ with a birth weight of 2.7 kg while Twin 2 had APGAR score of 8¹, 9⁵ and 10¹⁰ with a birth weight of 4.0kg (weight discordance of 32.5%). While Twin 1 was stable at presentation, Twin 2 had respiratory distress and congestive cardiac failure which resolved after 48 hours on oxygen therapy and frusemide. The packed cell volume was 45 % and 47.9% for Twin 1 and Twin 2 respectively.  Birthweight discordance should be recognized as a distinct clinical entity with attendant morbidity