This book promises to be an innovative exploration of twin health and well-being, combining traditional themes with the latest knowledge in the field. It covers a wide range of topics, including the biology of twinning, management of twin pregnancies, challenges of monochorionicity, and the similarities and differences between identical twins and non-twin siblings.
In addition to these areas, the book comprehensively addresses various aspects of maintaining health, well-being, and the prevention of age-related diseases. It evaluates the impact of environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and epigenetic modifications on the different trajectories observed in monozygous twins. Drawing from recent studies, including the International Society for Twins Studies and the International Conferences on "Twins" held in Budapest in 2023 and in Assisi ( Italy) in 2024 , this volume provides valuable insights into promoting individual health.
While it will undoubtedly be of great interest to obstetricians and neonatologists who frequently encounter the challenges and risks associated with twin pregnancies, this book is also a valuable resource for individuals interested in health, prevention, and specialized medicine. It offers a comprehensive study of twin development, from conception to adulthood, shedding light on the unique journey of twins and enhancing our understanding of their experiences.

Discusses transforming wellbeing through the paradign of twin biodiversity Provides cutting-edge twin management across the lifespan Considers the power of epigenetics and environment on health and aging

Autorentext

Gian Carlo Di Renzo is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, past Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and past Director of the Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine Research Center at the University of Perugia ( 2004-2022) . Founder and Director of the Permanent International and European School of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine (PREIS) in Florence ( 2012-). He is also full Professor at the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the I.M. Sechenov First State University of Moscow (2019. Since 2022, he is director and publisher of the Alliance for Global Women's Medicine ( GLOWM ) . He has been General Secretary of FIGO for two terms (2012-2018). He was Secretary general and now co-President of the New European Surgical Academy (NESA ) since 2010. He holds multiple other positions including Founder Editor of the Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, corresponding Editor of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Hon Editor in Chief of the Chinese Journal (in English language) Maternal Fetal-Medicine. He is honorary fellow of 34 different Scientific Societies among which RCOG , ACOG and ICOG. Prof. Di Renzo is a Honorary Professor and Doctor Honoris Causa at respectively 16 and 6 different Universities worldwide. He is an Academic Member of the Romanian and Russian Academy of Sciences. He has received nine international awards for his scientific research and teaching. In 2023 he was recipient of the Accademia dei Lincei award for Gynecology and Medicine. In 2025 the Vietnamese Ministry of Health awarded him the Medal for People's Health . He has organized more than 1000 international congresses (some on regular basis: Diabetes in Pregnancy: DIP, Birth, TWINS). He has published over 1,500 papers of which one in peer reviewed journals ( HI 70; i10 index 281) and more than 100 books. He has been an invited speaker in over 2,000 national and international meetings in over 125 countries.
Valentina Tsibizova , MD, PhD is an obstetrician- gynecologist, subspecialized in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Surgery since 18 years. She performed more than 3,500 invasive procedures and more than 500 fetal surgeries. In 2018 she attended a stage in advanced fetal surgery at the Fetal Institute in Miami, Florida, USA ( with Prof R. Quintero). She obtained the PhD from the IM Sechenov First Moscow State University in 2021. From 2017 to 2022 she was chief of the Research Laboratory of Ob/ Gyn at the Almazov National Research Center and at the Regional Leningradskaya Hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. From 2022 she is maternal-fetal specialis at CEMER Clinics , Perugia; Scientific Committee member of the PREIS International School, Florence, ; Vice President of the Birth and Culture Association, Florence, Italy; and Consultant of the Fetal Surgery Unit, at Tu Du Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu San Maternity Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since 2021 member of the Executive Board of the European Society of Perinatal Medicine and from 2024 secretary general. Dr Tsibizova is in the editorial board of the Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Taylor and Francis, London 2020-) of the journal Maternal and Children's Health (Karger, 2024) and of the Global Library for Women Medicine (GLOWM, London, 2020-). She has published more than 80 articles in international peer reviewed journals and 50 chapters in international textbooks. Dr Tsibizova was invited speaker/chairperson in more than 40 national and international conferences and courses and organiser of more than 20 international congresses and courses.

Inhalt

PART 1: Twinning: from zygote to birth: Spontaneously and artificially conceived twins.- Twins: a challenge for maternal fetal medicine.- Periconceptional aspects of multiple pregnancy.- Prenatal non invasive and invasive testing.- The vanishing twin.- Role of ultrasound: chorionicity and beyond.- Monitoring during pregnancy.- Preterm birth and prematurity prevention.- Management of labour and delivery.- The placenta.- Breastfeeding twins.- PART 2 : Why are identical twins different?: Monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy.- The theology of monstrosity: conjoined twins.- Conjoined twins : the unexpected differences.- Twin pregnancy with selective fetal growth restriction.- Update on TTTS , its variations and its management.- More than heritability.- Environment and twins.- Heritability of dizygotic twinning.- Epigenetics in twins: drivers and consequences.- Microbiome in twins.- The omics.- The peri-postnatal epigenetic twin study.- Long-termeffects of selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic twins.- Developmental and fetal origins of differences in monozygotic twins.- Anthropometry and twins.- Twin studies of cardiorespiratory disease.- Twins: chronic diseases and cancer.- Twins: behavioral genetics and psychology.- Childhood development of psychiatric disorders.- Twins and lifestyle.- Mysteries of monozygotic twins.- A global approach to the heritability of wellbeing.