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Chorionicity and neurodevelopmental outcomes in twin pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 133–146 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Through a systematic review and meta-analyses, we aimed to analyze the impact of chorionicity on neurodevelopment outcomes.

Study design

We conducted a comprehensive search strategy through Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and reference lists of the retrieved studies until August 2022. Studies that examined the association between chorionicity and children’s neurodevelopment outcomes were included.

Results

Twelve studies were included. Monochorionic (MC) twins increased the odds of neurodevelopment impairment, cerebral palsy compared to dichorionic (DC) twins. The differences in neurodevelopmental impairment and cerebral palsy between the two groups disappeared after excluding infants with twin-twin transfusion (TTTS). After fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) for MC twins, there were no differences too.

Conclusions

Compared to DC twins, MC twins were associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopment impairment. MC twins complicated by TTTS were at high risk of neurologic disability, and FLS was an acceptable treatment modality for them.

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Fig. 1: Flow diagram.
Fig. 2: Forest plots.
Fig. 3: Forset plot.
Fig. 4: Forest plot.
Fig. 5: Forest plot.
Fig. 6: Forest plot.

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Data availability

Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to FZ.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Funding of Science and Technology Program of Nantong City under Grant [MS12020036] and under Grant [MS12021040].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China

    Shuhan Yan, Yuan Wang & Feng Zhang

  2. Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China

    Zhifang Chen

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Contributions

SHY designed the study, conducted literature searches, study selections, and data extractions, and drafted the initial manuscript. YW and ZFC conducted literature searches, study selections, and data extractions. FZ reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors have approved the final manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Feng Zhang.

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Yan, S., Wang, Y., Chen, Z. et al. Chorionicity and neurodevelopmental outcomes in twin pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Perinatol 43, 133–146 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01534-y

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