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Conjoined twins: a worldwide collaborative epidemiological study of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research.

Authors :
Mutchinick OM
Luna-Muñoz L
Amar E
Bakker MK
Clementi M
Cocchi G
da Graça Dutra M
Feldkamp ML
Landau D
Leoncini E
Li Z
Lowry B
Marengo LK
Martínez-Frías ML
Mastroiacovo P
Métneki J
Morgan M
Pierini A
Rissman A
Ritvanen A
Scarano G
Siffel C
Szabova E
Arteaga-Vázquez J
Source :
American journal of medical genetics. Part C, Seminars in medical genetics [Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet] 2011 Nov 15; Vol. 157C (4), pp. 274-87. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Oct 14.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Conjoined twins (CT) are a very rare developmental accident of uncertain etiology. Prevalence has been previously estimated to be 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 100,000 births. The process by which monozygotic twins do not fully separate but form CT is not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to analyze diverse epidemiological aspects of CT, including the different variables listed in the Introduction Section of this issue of the Journal. The study was made possible using the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR) structure. This multicenter worldwide research includes the largest sample of CT ever studied. A total of 383 carefully reviewed sets of CT obtained from 26,138,837 births reported by 21 Clearinghouse Surveillance Programs (SP) were included in the analysis. Total prevalence was 1.47 per 100,000 births (95% CI: 1.32-1.62). Salient findings including an evident variation in prevalence among SPs: a marked variation in the type of pregnancy outcome, a similarity in the proportion of CT types among programs: a significant female predominance in CT: particularly of the thoracopagus type and a significant male predominance in parapagus and parasitic types: significant differences in prevalence by ethnicity and an apparent increasing prevalence trend in South American countries. No genetic, environmental or demographic significant associated factors were identified. Further work in epidemiology and molecular research is necessary to understand the etiology and pathogenesis involved in the development of this fascinating phenomenon of nature.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1552-4876
Volume :
157C
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
American journal of medical genetics. Part C, Seminars in medical genetics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
22002822
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.c.30321