The etiology of cerebral palsy (C.P.) has been attributed to birth related events such as fetal distress, intrapartum asphyxia, and causes that may impair the blood flow to the brain of newborn infants. Recent studies failed to predict accurately the likelyhood of developing CP when these previously accepted risk factors were taken into consideration.

Hypothesis that prenatal and/or genetic aspects may be responsible for cases of C.P. of unknown origin has been accepted by certain investigator.

The higher incidence of C.P. in multiple pregnancies and the possibility of investigating the genetic and environmental background in this population have made twin studies a very attractive model of research.

This study was planned to investigate prenatal and perinatal factors influencing the development of C.P. twins and to evaluate the possible causes of the C.P. in twins.

Sixteen twin C.P. children were evaluted at Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, School of Medicine, between March 1991 and July 1995.

The results were as follows:

1) 9 (57%) children were low birth weight below 2500 g at birth.

2) 11 (69%) children had prematurity less than 36 weeks at birth.

3) First baby group had more predominent incidence of CP than second baby group.

4) 10 (63%) children were monozygotic twins.

5) Distributions of CP type were spastic diparesis (44%), spastic quadriparesis (37%), and spastic hemiparesis (19%).

6) Fate of co-twin were CP/CP (50%), CP/stillborn (25%), CP/normal (19%), and CP/dead (6%).

7) Radiologic findings were periventricular leukomalacia (4 cases), brain atrophy (4 cases), porencephalic cyst (2 cases), cerebellar degeneration (1 case).

In summary, the data obtained in this study would be helpful for identifying and assessing the children with CP in twin pregnancy.

Keywords :Cerebral palsy, Twin pregnancy, Twin embolization syndrome, Zygosity