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- Title
Association of Gestational Age at Birth With Risk of Perinatal Mortality and Special Educational Need Among Twins.
- Authors
Murray, Sarah; MacKay, Daniel; Stock, Sarah; Pell, Jill; Norman, Jane
- Abstract
This cohort study examines the association of gestational age at the time of birth of twins with the risk of perinatal mortality and special educational need in school by analyzing data on 43 133 twins born in Scotland between 1980 and 2015. Key Points: Question: What is the association of gestational age at the time of birth of twins with the risk of perinatal mortality and special educational need and what is the optimal week for the birth? Findings: This population cohort study of 43 133 twins using record linkage of their maternity and educational data found that delivery before 37 weeks of gestation was associated with an increased risk of perinatal death and special educational need at school. Meaning: The findings of this study suggest that twin infants should not be delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation in the absence of medical complications. Importance: Twin pregnancies account for 3% of live births but experience substantially more perinatal morbidity and mortality than singleton pregnancies. Optimizing the timing of birth is a key strategy in improving twin pregnancy outcomes. Current UK and US policies are based on observational studies of perinatal mortality and not on longer-term effects. The association of timing of birth with long-term childhood outcomes among twins is uncertain. Objective: To identify the optimal gestation week for birth of twin infants by calculating the week of birth associated with the lowest risk of short-term and long-term adverse outcomes (perinatal mortality and special educational need [SEN] at school). Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based, data-linkage cohort study included 43 133 twin infants born at a gestational age of 34 weeks onward between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2015, in Scotland. The data were analyzed from June 1, 2017, to March 1, 2019. Exposures: Gestational age (in weeks) at the time of birth. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were extended perinatal mortality and a record of SEN (≥1 of intellectual disabilities, dyslexia, physical or motor impairment, language or speech disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties) at school (children aged 4-18 years). To infer the consequence of the gestational age at birth, clinical outcomes of twin infants born at each week of gestation from 34 weeks onward were compared with those of twin infants remaining in utero thereafter. Results: Of the total 43 133 twin infants included in the study, 21 696 (50.3%) were females. Although maternity records were available for all infants, 9519 sex-discordant twin children were linked to their educational data, of whom 1069 (13.8%) had a record of SEN. Compared with twins remaining in utero (n = 26 172), birth at any gestational age from 34 to 37 weeks was associated with increased odds of perinatal death (ie, adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.99; 95% CI, 1.53-2.69 at 36 weeks [n = 8056]) and increased risk of SEN at school (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11-1.74, for birth at 36 weeks compared with 37 weeks). In a competing risk analysis, the risks of stillbirth and neonatal death were balanced at 37 weeks (risk difference, 2.05; 95% CI, 0.8-3.3). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that, in the absence of a medical complication, twins should not be routinely delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation. These findings may help optimize shared decision-making around the timing of twin birth.
- Subjects
CHILD development deviations; CONFIDENCE intervals; DECISION making; GESTATIONAL age; EVALUATION of medical care; MULTIPLE pregnancy; PERINATAL death; PREGNANCY; RISK assessment; TWINS; INFORMATION needs; ODDS ratio
- Publication
JAMA Pediatrics, 2020, Vol 174, Issue 5, p437
- ISSN
2168-6203
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.6317