ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze the cerebroplacental blood flow distribution characteristics in monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR), and investigate the relationship between co-twin cerebroplacental blood flow discordances and co-twin birth weight discordances (BWdisc).@*Methods@#The cerebroplacental blood flow distribution characteristics and their discordances were analyzed retrospectively in 52 MCDA twin pregnancies with normal growth (control group) and 52 with sFGR (case group), including the umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI), middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV), middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA-PI), cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), and their discordances (UA-PIdisc, MCA-PSVdisc, MCA-PIdisc and CPRdisc).@*Results@#Compared to the control group, UA-PIdisc, MCA-PIdisc and CPRdisc increased significantly (all P<0.01). UA-PIdisc, MCA-PIdisc and CPRdisc were related positively to BWdisc as shown by correlation analyses (r=0.488, 0.414, 0.592; all P<0.001), and they had moderate predictive accuracy for sFGR with area under the curves of 0.743, 0.662 and 0.778, with sensitivity of 48.08%, 67.31% and 71.15%, and specificity of 92.31%, 59.62% and 78.85% (all P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that only CPRdisc were independently associated with sFGR (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#More cerebroplacental blood flow discordances are observed in MCDA twin pregnancies with sFGR. Co-twin cerebroplacental blood flow discordance is related to BWdisc.
ABSTRACT
Objective·To identify the relationship between the estimated fetal weight (EFW) discordance and birth weight (BW) discordance, and evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in predicting birth weight discordance (△BW) of twin pregnancy. Methods·The ultrasound was used to detect the growth of twins at different gestational weeks and the data were analyzed to compare the difference between EFW discordance (△EFW) and ?BW. Results·About 15.9 percent of twins (totally 277 cases) had severe △BW (△BW ≥20%) in our study, and the percentages of dichorionic-diamniotic twin (DCDA) and monochorionic-diamniotic twin (MCDA) were 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively (P>0.01). Compared with △EFW in other gestational weeks,△EFW last time before parturition was most consistent of △BW. Furthermore, the negative predictive value of MCDA was highest (94%) at 22-24 gestational weeks. Conclusion·Twin △BW was relatively better predicted by △EFW last time before parturition. Twin pregnancy without severe △EFW (△EFW<20%), especially MCDA with △EFW<20% at 22-24 weeks, had low probability of selective intrauterine growth restriction in the future.
ABSTRACT
Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is characterized by a wide discrepancy of hemoglobin between two monochorionic fetuses without sign of twin oligo-polyhydramnios sequence. A primiparous woman with monochorionic diamniotic twin transferred for preterm labor. Ultrasonographic evaluation at 32+3 weeks of gestation revealed increased middle cerebral artery-peak systolic velocity (77.4 cm/sec, 1.69 multiples of median) in donor and decreased in recipient twin (36.4 cm/sec, 0.79 multiples of median), the twin was diagnosed with TAPS. Repeated cesarean section was performed at 32+5 weeks of gestation following preeclampsia and preterm labor. After delivery, TAPS was confirmed through neonatal hematologic examination. There were no signs of acute hemorrhagic shock or brain injury. Placental evaluation via dye infusion and barium angiogram revealed one arterioarterial anastomoses with six arteriovenous anastomoses of placenta. We report a prenatally diagnosed case of spontaneous TAPS with arterioarterial and arteriovenous anastomoses and suggest careful monitoring of monochorionic twin and opinion on placenta vascular architecture.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Arteriovenous Anastomosis , Barium , Brain Injuries , Cesarean Section , Fetus , Obstetric Labor, Premature , Placenta , Pre-Eclampsia , Prenatal Diagnosis , Shock, Hemorrhagic , Tissue Donors , TwinsABSTRACT
Antecedentes: El embarazo de gemelos monocoriales tienen un mayor riesgo de mortalidad y morbilidad perinatal, que la gestación única y el embarazo gemelar bicorial. Objetivos: Estudiar la incidencia y el manejo de las complicaciones fetales propias de las gestaciones gemelares monocoriales biamnióticas. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 94 embarazos gemelares monocoriales biamnióticos, seguidos en las Consultas de Tocología de Alto Riesgo del Hospital Universitario La Paz de Madrid, entre 2008 y 2010. Resultados: Se recogieron 94 gestaciones monocoriales biamnióticas. Aparecieron complicaciones fetales en el 23,4 por ciento de las mismas: síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal en el 9,57 por ciento de los casos, retraso del crecimiento intrauterino selectivo en el 11,7 por ciento, muerte fetal intrauterina en el 2,1 por ciento, y malformaciones fetales en el 7,4 por ciento. Conclusiones: Las gestaciones monocoriales biamnióticas son un tipo de embarazo gemelar de alto riesgo, asociado con más complicaciones fetales y muerte perinatal. Se recomienda un estrecho seguimiento ecográfico cada 2 semanas, desde la semana 16, para diagnosticar y tratar precozmente las complicaciones fetales.
Background: The monochorionic twin pregnancy has a higher risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity, than the single gestation and the dichorionic twin gestation. Objectives: To detail the incidence and management of specific fetal complications of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies followed in the High Risk Obstetrics Unit of the University Hospital La Paz, Madrid, between 2008-2010. Results: We collected 94 monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies. Fetal complications occurred in 23.4 percent of them: feto-fetal transfusion syndrome in 9.57 percent of cases, selective intrauterine growth retardation in 11.7 percent, stillbirth in 2.1 percent, and fetal malformations in 7.4 percent. Conclusions: Monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies are a high-risk type of twin pregnancy, associated with an increased risk of death and perinatal complications. Ultrasound monitoring is recommended for uncomplicated monochorionic pregnancies every 2 weeks from week 16, to detect and treat fetal complications.