From the Guidelines
Taller women twins are not necessarily at a higher risk of complications due to their height, but rather due to the inherent risks associated with twin pregnancies, such as maternal hypertensive disorders, growth disturbances, and preterm labor. The incidence of twin pregnancies has been rising, largely attributable to the increasing use of artificial reproductive techniques 1. Compared with singletons, twin pregnancies carry a higher risk of complications, including fetal death and neonatal death, primarily due to complications of prematurity 1.
Key Considerations
- The prognosis of multiple gestations is determined by chorionicity, with monochorionic (MC) twins being at a higher risk for complications such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and discordant fetal anomalies 1.
- MC diamniotic pregnancies have an overall mortality rate of approximately 10%, primarily related to TTTS and discordant fetal anomalies 1.
- People carrying twin or higher-order multiple pregnancies will typically undergo more ultrasound (US) examinations than those carrying singletons, with MC pregnancies undergoing more frequent follow-up 1.
Recommendations
- Careful assessment and monitoring of multiple gestations, particularly MC pregnancies, is warranted to minimize the risk of complications 1.
- Regular ultrasound examinations, including a first trimester dating scan, a nuchal translucency (NT) scan, and an anatomy scan, are essential for monitoring the health and development of twin pregnancies.
- No specific interventions are recommended to alter the natural growth pattern of taller women twins, as height differences between twins are normal developmental variations influenced by genetics, hormonal factors, and in-utero conditions.
From the Research
Taller Women Twins
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest a correlation between the height of women and the occurrence of twin pregnancies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on the management of twin pregnancies, prenatal care, and the risks associated with twin pregnancies, but do not mention the height of the women as a factor 2, 4, 6.
- However, the studies do provide information on the importance of prenatal care, chorionicity, and the management of complications in twin pregnancies 2, 4, 6.
- The height of the women is not mentioned as a predictive factor for preterm delivery or other complications in twin pregnancies 2, 3, 5.
- The studies emphasize the importance of evidence-based prenatal care and management of twin pregnancies to improve outcomes 4, 5, 6.