Necrotizing enterocolitis in monochorionic twins: Insights from an identical twin model

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates, yet its pathophysiology remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors for NEC using an identical twin model. In this case-control study, all monochorionic twin pairs born in our center in 2002–2020 were retrospectively reviewed for NEC. Potential risk factors for NEC were studied. For within-pair comparison, outcomes were compared between affected and unaffected twins. Within-pair analyses showed that the twin with NEC had a lower birth weight compared to its unaffected co-twin (1100 (913–1364) vs. 1339 (1093–1755) grams). Median gestational age at birth and birth weight were lower in twin pairs in the NEC-group compared to the no-NEC group, 29.1 weeks (27.8–30.8) versus 33.6 (30.7–36.0) and 1221 g (1010–1488) versus 1865 (1356–2355) respectively. Twin pregnancies in the NEC-group were more often complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome compared to the no-NEC-group (70 % (14/20) vs. 49 % (472/962)), particularly when treated with amnioreduction. This unique population of identical twins confirms that preterm neonates with a relatively lower birth weight are more prone to develop NEC compared to their co-twin, regardless of other genetic, maternal and obstetrical factors.