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  • Original Article
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Renin is activated in monochorionic diamniotic twins with birthweight discordance who do not have twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Journal of Perinatology volume 32, pages 514–519 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To assess renin, aldosterone, human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in cord blood from monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins with a birthweight (BW) discordance that do not satisfy the criteria of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Study Design:

Cord blood samples were obtained from 28 MD twins without TTTS. They were divided into two groups on the basis of BW discordance as follows: large (>7.5%) and small (⩽7.5%). Cord blood renin, aldosterone, hANP and BNP levels were measured.

Result:

Renin levels in MD twins with a large BW discordance were significantly higher than those in MD twins with a small BW discordance, with no significant differences in aldosterone, hANP and BNP levels. A significant correlation was found between renin levels and BW discordance.

Conclusion:

Renin is activated in MD twins with a BW discordance of >7.5%, even in non-TTTS.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Support Program for Improving Graduate School Education from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (KF), and grants for Scientific Research from the Morinaga Hoshi-kai Foundation and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (KF and IM).

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Author notes

  1. K Fujioka and I Morioka: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan

    K Fujioka, I Morioka, A Miwa, T Yokota, K Matsuo, S Morikawa, M Enomoto, A Shibata, N Yokoyama & M Matsuo

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan

    M Morizane & H Yamada

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  1. K Fujioka
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Correspondence to I Morioka.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Author contributions

All authors (KF, IM, AM, TY, KM, SM, ME, AS, MMo, NY, HY and MMa) contributed to the intellectual content of this manuscript. KF, IM, AM, TY, KM, SM, ME, AS, NY and MMa were neonatologists of the patients and collected the clinical data. KF, IM, AM, TY, KM, SM and AS measured plasma renin activity, hANP and BNP, and serum aldosterone levels. KF, IM and ME performed statistical analysis of the data. MMo and HY were obstetricians and collected the cord blood samples of the patients.

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Fujioka, K., Morioka, I., Miwa, A. et al. Renin is activated in monochorionic diamniotic twins with birthweight discordance who do not have twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. J Perinatol 32, 514–519 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2011.136

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