Very Low Birth Weight Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins as a Risk Factor for Symptomatic Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

Background: Some prior studies have shown that symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (sPDA) is highly familial. Although it is estimated that both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to sPDA, evidence is still lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for sPDA, focusing on the genetic and in utero environment by analyzing very low birth weight (VLBW) singletons and twins. Methods: This retrospective case-control study reviewed the medical records of 445 VLBW infants (25 weeks ≤ gestational age Results: Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that twin siblings (p = 0.001), gestational week (p Conclusions: The current results show that being a VLBW MD twin is an independent risk factor for sPDA, and that both genetic and in utero environmental factors may contribute to its development.