双胎之一胎死宫内的母儿结局分析

目的:探讨双胎之一胎死宫内(sIUFD)患者绒毛膜性和孕周对母儿结局的影响。方法:选取近5年我院产科分娩的sIUFD者73例,将患者按绒毛膜性分为双绒毛膜双羊膜囊双胎(DCDA)及单绒毛膜双羊膜囊双胎(MCDA)两组。收集相关临床资料,包括孕妇一般资料、发生sIUFD孕周、影像学检查、妊娠并发症、分娩情况及新生儿结局等。结果:我院sIUFD发生率为3.24%(98/3025),DCDA组sIUFD发生率为2.50%(56/2239),MCDA组sIUFD发生率为5.50%(37/673),二者相比,差异有统计学意义。与DCDA组相比,MCDA组另一胎的死亡率、新生儿贫血发生率、新生儿重度脑损伤发生率高(P0.05)。比较两组早产、胎膜早破、胎儿生长受限、子痫前期、新生儿窒息、新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)、新生儿凝血功能异常发生率,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。孕28周后发生sIUFD者早产发生率高于在孕28周之前者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);MCDA组孕28周后发生sIUFD者其新生儿重症监护病房(NICU)入住率、新生儿贫血发生率高于孕28周前发生sIUFD者,而重度脑损伤率低于孕28周前发生sIUFD者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);DCDA组发生sIUFD的孕周与新生儿结局无明显相关性。结论:在sIUFD发生后,新生儿早产的发生率均显著升高,另一胎的严重不良结局,如宫内死亡、重度脑损伤等,与双胎绒毛膜性密切相关。在MCDA双胎中,sIUFD的发生孕周与另一胎不良预后有相关性。应重视产前产后的影像学检查,对另一胎的预后、妊娠抉择起重要作用。     

双绒毛膜及单绒毛膜双胎与妊娠期并发症及围生儿结局分析

目的:探讨双胎妊娠绒毛膜性对孕妇妊娠期并发症及围生儿预后的影响及意义。方法:对我院定期随诊并分娩的472例双胎临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据绒毛膜性分为单绒毛膜双羊膜囊组(MCDA组)和双绒毛膜双羊膜囊组(DCDA组),对两组孕妇的分娩孕周、并发症以及围生儿预后等进行比较分析。结果:两组孕产妇妊娠并发症的发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。MCDA组低出生体重儿、极低出生体重儿、新生儿窒息及围生儿死亡的发生率均明显高于DCDA组,其差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),MCDA组中双胎输血综合征发生率为7.32%。结论:绒毛膜性对孕妇妊娠并发症的发生无明显影响,而双胎孕妇于孕早期行B超检查诊断单绒毛膜或双绒毛膜对预测围生儿预后具有重要意义。尽早确定双胎类型,加强对单绒毛膜双胎的监护及干预,是改善胎儿和新生儿预后的关键。     

双胎妊娠一胎宫内死亡34例临床分析

目的:探讨双胎妊娠一胎宫内死亡的原因、临床处理及预后。方法:回顾性分析2005年1月至2009年12月,我院双胎妊娠一胎宫内死亡34例患者的临床资料。结果:双胎妊娠一胎宫内死亡占我院双胎妊娠的5.2%,34例中单羊膜囊双胎3例,单绒毛膜双胎23例,双绒毛膜双胎8例;及时终止妊娠23例(单羊膜囊双胎均及时终止妊娠),期待治疗11例,平均期待时间单绒毛膜双胎为4.7±5.6周,双绒毛膜双胎为8.6±1.2周;单绒毛膜双胎发现死胎时的孕周、分娩孕周及存活儿的出生体重均小于双绒毛膜双胎。除引产外的30例存活儿发生围生儿死亡6例,随访24例存活新生儿中,2例失访,22例随访中发生脑瘫(四肢瘫,语言障碍)3例,存在其他脑损害(语言或运动发育延迟)4例,余健康存活。结论:单绒毛膜双胎更易发生双胎妊娠一胎宫内死亡,绒毛膜性质和孕周是影响围生儿结局和远期预后的重要因素,存活儿无胎儿窘迫,孕妇无严重妊娠并发症及合并症情况下,期待治疗是一种有效的处理方式。     

双胎妊娠1530例胎儿丢失临床分析

目的探讨双胎妊娠不同绒毛膜性胎儿在不同孕周发生围产儿丢失的风险及单绒毛膜双羊膜囊双胎(MCDA)胎儿丢失的原因。方法回顾性分析2014年1月至2017年12月中国内地10所三级妇产科专科医院或妇幼保健院中分娩的1530例双胎妊娠,比较MCDA与双绒毛膜双羊膜囊双胎(DCDA)胎儿丢失的风险和发生孕周及原因。结果 407例MCDA和1123例DCDA纳入研究。1239+6周MCDA组丢失率为4.68%,DCDA组丢失率为0.98%,丢失风险OR 4.78(95%CI 2.848.03),χ²=42.45,P<0.001。12~23⁺⁶周MCDA组较DCDA组丢失风险OR6.09(χ²=29.53,P<0.001)。24~39⁺⁶周MCDA组较DCDA组丢失风险OR 5.03(χ²=18.73,P<0.001)。MCDA组胎儿丢失原因的前4位依次为:双胎输血综合征(twin-twin transfusion syndrome,TTTs)(36.36%,8/22)、选择性胎儿生长受限(selective intrauterine growth restriction,sIUGR)(22.73%,5/22)、脐带扭转(22.73%,5/22)、帆状胎盘(13.64%,3/22)。DCDA组胎儿丢失原因的前4位依次为:胎膜早破(21.43%,3/14)、胎儿生长受限(fetal growth restriction,FGR)(14.29%,2/14)、胎儿结构异常(14.29%,2/14)、母体感染(7.14%,1/14)。结论 MCDA胎儿丢失风险明显高于DCDA。单绒毛膜性双胎特有的并发症(TTTs、sIUGR)及脐带扭转等都是造成MCDA胎儿丢失的重要原因。     

37例双胎一胎胎死宫内后存活儿预后分析

目的:通过分析双胎一胎胎死宫内(SIUFD)后存活儿的预后,探讨不同孕周及绒毛膜性双胎发生SIUFD后不同妊娠结局,并完善SIUFD的监测管理。方法:收集2013年1月1日至2015年12月31日在首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院分娩的SIUFD病例37例(剔除双胎输血综合征病例11例),对SIUFD病例进行回顾性分析,包括SIUFD的发生孕周、存活儿的期待治疗时间、发生死亡的原因及不同孕周和不同绒毛膜性存活儿的预后,并电话随访新生儿生长情况。结果:37例SIUFD的发生时间以孕早期多见,占64.86%(24/37);SIUFD发生后期待治疗的时间最短1天,最长231天,平均116天;死亡原因中脐带及胎盘异常造成的占32.43%(12/37),胎儿畸形占8.11%(3/37);存活胎儿早产(分娩孕周小于37周)的有9例,其中最小孕周32周,足月分娩28例;早产、新生儿窒息、急诊剖宫产、孕期并发症的发生率在单绒毛膜双胎均明显高于双绒毛膜双胎;同时SIUFD发生孕周>13周时其存活胎儿的早产、新生儿窒息、急诊剖宫产的发生率也大于≤13周的SIUFD。对中、晚孕期发生SIUFD的13例病例存活儿近1年的随访,未发现存活胎儿存在神经系统及其他器官的有关损伤表现。结论:SIUFD发生后存活胎儿的预后与SIUFD发生孕周及绒毛膜性有关,虽然本研究中暂未发现发生SIUFD后存活儿在单绒毛膜双羊膜中双胎出现比双绒毛膜双羊膜双胎更高的神经系统不良后遗症,但仍需要长期随访。     

东北地区双胎妊娠新生儿出生体重观察

目的建立中国东北地区双胎妊娠新生儿出生体重的百分位数参考值。方法选取2014年1月至2018年12月于中国医科大学附属盛京医院分娩的双胎妊娠孕妇共2513例,经过纳排标准,筛选出1275例双绒毛膜双羊膜囊(dichorionic diamniotic,DCDA)和144例单绒毛膜双羊膜囊(monochorionic diamniotic,MCDA)双胎孕妇。所有孕妇均来自于中国东北地区。合并相关母胎合并症或并发症的病例被排除。收集所有符合标准的双胎新生儿体重等资料。利用SPSS软件分析数据,按照绒毛膜性分类,分别建立起不同孕周的大小新生儿体重百分位数。结果自妊娠34至37周出生的MCDA大新生儿第50百分位数出生体重分别为2045、2380、2510和2675 g,小新生儿分别为2075、2210、2520和2555 g。对于DCDA,大新生儿分别为2115、2360、2560和2698 g,小新生儿分别为2140、2340、2480和2620 g。结论此东北地区双胎新生儿出生体重百分位数参考值结果具有地区特异性,可为当地新生儿科临床实践提供指导。     

双胎之一胎儿宫内死亡51例临床分析

目的:探讨双胎之一胎儿宫内死亡(sIUFD)的原因、临床处理及母婴预后.方法:回顾性分析2009～2012年在南方医科大学附属深圳妇幼保健院住院分娩的51例sIUFD孕妇(sIUFD组)的临床资料,同时随机抽取同期51例双胎均存活者作为对照组进行病例对照分析.结果:①sIUFD组胎儿畸形、胎儿生长受限(FGR)、双胎输血综合征(TTTs)、脐带扭转、单脐动脉发生率、辅助生殖技术(ART)受孕率均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).两组妊娠期高血压疾病、妊娠期糖尿病和妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症发生率相比,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).②sIUFD组发现一胎儿死亡平均孕周为28.7±6.4周,期待孕周中位数为3.1周,四分位数间距为13.1周.单绒毛膜双胎终止妊娠平均孕周为34.6±2.2周,双绒毛膜双胎为35.9±1.9周.③两组新生儿窒息发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两组均无围生儿死亡.sIUFD组随访47例,存活儿生长发育均正常,失访4例.结论:胎儿畸形、FGR、TTTS、脐带扭转和单脐动脉是sIUFD的主要原因,母体合并症及并发症与sIUFD的关系不明显,ART对sIUFD的影响有待进一步研究.单绒毛膜双胎期待治疗至妊娠34周、双绒毛膜双胎期待治疗至37周后,以改善新生儿预后.     

双胎妊娠一胎胎死宫内90例妊娠结局分析

目的:探讨双胎妊娠一胎胎死宫内(sIUFD)的临床特点及妊娠结局。方法:回顾性分析2016年9月至2021年1月昆明医科大学第一附属医院收治的90例sIUFD的临床资料,其中单绒毛膜(MC)双胎(31例),双绒毛膜(DC)双胎(59例)。分析不同绒毛膜性sIUFD存活胎儿的预后,sIUFD存活胎儿终止妊娠的时间、分娩方式等。结果:(1)sIUFD孕妇存活胎儿妊娠丢失14例(15.6%),其中流产6例,引产8例(胎死宫内5例,胎儿异常3例)。MC双胎存活胎儿胎死宫内、早产发生率高于DC双胎(P<0.05);两组间存活胎儿活产、新生儿窒息、转NICU、新生儿脑损伤、新生儿死亡的发生率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2)发现sIUFD后24小时内终止妊娠7例,其中2例双胎输血综合征(TTTS)存活胎死亡。MC双胎与DC双胎相比,发生sIUFD距分娩间隔时间较短(P<0.05),分娩孕周较早(P<0.05)。(3)新生儿窒息率、转NICU率、新生儿死亡率在阴道分娩与剖宫产中比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:MC双胎发生sIUFD存活胎儿发生胎死宫内及早产的不良妊娠结局风险明显增加,应加强监测。sIUFD不是剖宫产术终止妊娠的指征,阴道分娩并不增加新生儿不良预后的发生率。     

双羊膜囊三胎妊娠围产期管理及妊娠结局9例分析

目的:通过围产期管理策略及妊娠结局分析，探讨双羊膜囊(DA)三胎妊娠最佳临床治疗方案。方法:回顾性分析2012年1月至2020年3月四川大学华西第二医院产科收治的9例DA三胎孕妇临床资料。结果:9例DA三胎中4例为双绒毛膜双羊膜囊(DCDA)三胎，5例为单绒毛膜双羊膜囊(MCDA)三胎。分别于孕12～18⁺⁵周经产前超声诊断。孕期规律产检的病例大多数围产期结局预后良好，而2例产检不规律病例围产期结局差。3例DCDA三胎分别于孕16周、17周和17⁺¹周行选择性减胎术(心腔内注射氯化钾),其中2例合并联体双胎，1例合并多发畸形。共2例行畸形胎儿体内激光治疗，1例为DCDA三胎合并双胎动脉反向灌注序列征(TRAPS),另一例为MCDA三胎合并双胎儿TRAPS。9例DA三胎共分娩11例活产儿，体健，存活至今。结论:DA三胎应早期诊断，临床诊疗中需由多学科团队进行详细评估及监测。依据个体化差异，规范产前检查，严密监护胎儿情况，必要时实施选择性减胎术及适时终止妊娠以获得良好的围产期结局。     

双胎妊娠分娩时机与分娩方式的选择

近年来,双胎妊娠发生率急剧上升,双胎分娩的处理是具有挑战性的临床问题。双胎妊娠分娩方式与分娩时机应结合母胎情况、当地医疗机构医疗水平和医疗条件进行综合考虑。无并发症单绒毛膜双羊膜囊(monochorionic-diamniotic,MCDA)双胎分娩不超过37周为宜,双绒毛膜双羊膜囊(dichorionic-diamniotic,DCDA)双胎可妊娠至38周,单绒毛膜单羊膜囊(monochorionic-monoamniotic,MCMA)双胎为32～33周分娩。对于无并发症MCDA双胎与DCDA双胎可考虑阴道试产,MCMA双胎则建议剖宫产手术终止妊娠。     

Perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies discordant for major fetal anomalies

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies discordant for a major fetal anomaly and to compare with twins without anomaly. METHODS: All twin pregnancies admitted or referred to the maternal-fetal unit were prospectively entered into a computer database. Chorionicity, fetal anomaly, mean gestational age at delivery, birth weight and perinatal survival rate were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean gestational age at delivery, birth weight and perinatal survival rate of twins with and without anomaly. RESULTS: There were 48 cases of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA), 2 cases of monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) and 217 twins with dichorionic (DC) placentation. Out of 267 twin pregnancies, there were 17 (6.3%) twins with fetal anomaly. Twins discordant for a major fetal anomaly were diagnosed in 13 cases (4.8%). We observed 3 cases with MCDA and 10 cases with DC placentation and the incidence of discordance for a major fetal anomaly as 4.6% (10/217) in DC and 6.0% (3/50) in MC twin pregnancies. We identified 8 cases (62%) with craniospinal, 2 (15%) with gastrointestinal, 2 (15%) with urinary system, and 1 case (8%) with both craniospinal and gastrointestinal anomalies. There were significant differences between the normal co-twin of the major anomaly group (n = 13) and twins without anomaly group (n = 235) in mean gestational age at delivery (32 vs. 34 weeks; p = 0.029), mean birth weight (1,640 vs. 2,030 g; p = 0.022) and perinatal survival rate (69.2 vs. 91.1%; p = 0.018), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of a fetus with a major anomaly in a twin gestation increases the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight and perinatal mortality of the normal co-twin.     

Mode of delivery and neonatal outcome in uncomplicated monochorionic twin pregnancies

Objective: The association between of mode of delivery and perinatal morbidity in monochorionic (MC) twins is not clear. Thus there is no agreement regarding the optimal mode of delivery of MC twins. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the mode of delivery on neonatal outcome of uncomplicated MC twins in a tertiary center with a strict policy of delivering MC twins by 37 weeks’ gestation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all uncomplicated MC twin deliveries at a tertiary referral hospital during a 5-year period. Complicated MC pregnancies (fetal death, selective reduction, twin to twin transfusion syndrome, fetal growth restriction of one or both twins or major fetal anomalies) were excluded. Induction of labor or planned caesarean sections of uncomplicated MC pregnancies was conducted between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation. Neonatal outcomes of MC twins were compared according to the mode of delivery. Moreover, mode of delivery was compared with a control group of 1934 dichorionic (DC) twin pregnancies delivered during the same period. Results: The rate of Caesarean section was 63.4% in uncomplicated MC/DA twins pregnancies and this was similar to our rate in DC twins (61%, p = 0.65). Multivariate analysis revealed that adverse neonatal outcome was significantly associated with gestational age at delivery, neonatal birth weight discordance and male gender but not with the intended or actual mode of delivery. Conclusion: Delivering MC twin pregnancies by 37 weeks’ gestation is associated with similar rate of vaginal deliveries compared with DC twin pregnancies. The neonatal outcome was not affected by the mode of delivery, and therefore vaginal delivery seems safe in MC twins.     

Birth weight discordance in multiple gestations: occurrence and outcomes.

This paper reviews the patterns of occurrence, measurement and the effect of birth weight discordance on fetal and neonatal mortality in multiple pregnancies (twins and triplets). Birth weight discordance is fairly common among multiple pregnancies, and about one-quarter of the twin deliveries are affected by a birth weight discordance of 15%, while nearly 5% of twin gestations experience severe discordance (>or= 35%). Factors influencing birth weight discordance are exaggerated in triplet deliveries. Approximately 20% of triplet sets experience a birth weight discordance of 25 - 35% and nearly 10% experience severe forms of discordance. Frequencies of discordant sets at >25% discordance along the range of birth weight deciles show an inverse logarithmic relationship in twins, while the best-fit function in triplets is polynomial. Birth weight discordance is significantly associated with both fetal and neonatal mortality. Neonatal demise among the severely discordant smaller twin is significantly more frequent than in a non-discordant smaller twin. The magnitude of the effect is greater when one or both of the discordant twins are concomitantly small for gestational age.     

Parameters Associated With Outcome in Third Trimester Monochorionic Diamniotic Twin Pregnancies

ObjectiveTo assess parameters associated with perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in monochorionic (MC) diamniotic twin pregnancies after 25 weeks of gestation.MethodsNeonatal outcomes after 25 weeks' gestational age were retrieved for all twin pregnancies between the years 2001 and 2007 and documented according to chorionicity. The features of MC pregnancies that resulted in intrauterine or neonatal demise were reviewed carefully to find an explanation for the adverse outcome.ResultsThe features of 93 pairs of MC twins were recorded and compared with those of 428 consecutive pairs of dichorionic (DC) twins. Perinatal mortality was higher in the MC twin pregnancies (1.61% vs. 0.35%, P= 0.04). Average gestational age at delivery (34.8 vs. 35.9 weeks, P< 0.001), mean birth weight (2127 g vs. 2443 g, P< 0.001), and birth-weight adjustment for gestational age were all lower in the MC twin group than in the DC group. Severe discordant growth of the twins (> 20% difference in birth weights) was significantly more common in MC pregnancies (25.81% vs. 11.68%, P< 0.001). After excluding cases of discordant growth, gestational age at delivery was not significantly different between the two groups. MC twins were more likely to have lower Apgar scores (8.5 vs. 8.9 at 5 minutes, P= 0.007), a higher rate of congenital malformations (13.98% vs. 8.18%, P= 0.01), higher rates of admission to the NICU (55.91% vs. 36.57%, P< 0.001), and higher rates of velamentous cord insertion (8.60% vs. 4.56%, P< 0.001).ConclusionEven in the presence of apparently normal progress, MC twin pregnancies should be monitored frequently throughout pregnancy, including during the third trimester.     

Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in children after twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal and neonatal medical records of all twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome patients who were admitted to our center between 1990 and 1998 were reviewed. Neurologic and mental development at school age was assessed during a home visit in all twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome survivors. RESULTS: A total of 33 pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome were identified. Four couples opted for termination of pregnancy. All other pregnancies were treated conservatively, 18 pregnancies (62%) with serial amnioreductions and 11 pregnancies (38%) without intrauterine interventions. Mean gestational age at delivery was 28.6 weeks (range, 20-37 weeks). The perinatal mortality rate was 50% (29/58 infants). The birth weight of the donor twins was less than the recipient twins (P<.001). Systolic blood pressure at birth was lower in donors than in recipients (P=.023), and donors required inotropic support postnatally more frequently than did recipients (P=.008). The incidence of hypertension at birth was higher in recipients than in donors (P=.038). Abnormal cranial ultrasonographic findings were reported in 41% of the neonates (12/29 neonates). All long-term survivors (n=29 neonates) were assessed during a home visit. Mean gestational age at birth of the surviving twin was 31.6 weeks (range, 25-37 weeks). The mean age at follow-up was 6.2 years (range, 4-11 years). The incidence of cerebral palsy was 21% (6/29 infants). Five of 6 children with cerebral palsy had an abnormal mental development. The incidence of cerebral palsy in the group of survivors who were treated with serial amnioreduction was 26% (5/19 infants). Four children were born after the intrauterine fetal demise of their co-twin, 2 of which had cerebral palsy. CONCLUSION: The incidence of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome survivors is high, especially after the intrauterine fetal demise of a co-twin.     

The impact of chorionicity on umbilical cord acid-base values in twin gestations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of chorionicity on inter-twin differences in acid-base status at birth. METHODS: Records for twin pregnancies delivered at > or = 24 weeks' gestation from 1 January 1990 to 31 June 2000 were reviewed. Collected data included maternal demographics, gestational age, fetal presentation, anesthesia, delivery mode, inter-twin interval, umbilical artery (UA) and venous (UV) acid-base values, Apgar scores and birth weights. The influence of chorionicity on umbilical cord biochemistry was evaluated. (p < 0.05 was considered significant.) RESULTS: Analysis was carried out in 87 twin pairs (29 monochorionic, MC; and 58 dichorionic, DC). MC and DC twins were similar in maternal age (25.5 vs. 28.2 years), estimated gestational age (33.7 vs. 33.6 weeks), Cesarean delivery (55.2 vs. 52.6%), delivery interval (10 vs. 5 min) and respective birth weights (twin A, 1882 vs. 1981; and twin B, 1828 vs. 1872 g). MC first twins had a higher UA pH (7.31 +/- 0.05 vs. 7.26 +/- 0.08; p = 0.0005) than DC first twins. MC first and second twins had higher UA and UV bicarbonate levels than their DC counterparts (DeltapH = 21.7 +/- 5.1 vs. 18.5 +/- 3.1 mmol/l and 22.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 19.6 +/- 2.5 mmol/l, respectively; p = 0.003). MC twins were more discordant in UA pH than DC twins (DeltapH = 0.043 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.003 +/- 0.07; p = 0.009). MC and DC twins had a similar venous pH (DeltapH = 0.01 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.02 +/- 0.06; p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between placental chorionicity and umbilical cord biochemistry in twins. Although it is possible that the mechanism of this finding is related to placental angioarchitecture, it is unlikely to be a result of simple mixing of blood volumes between twins. The physiology of underlying processes requires further study.     

Can discordance in CRL at the first trimester predict birth weight discordance in twin pregnancies?

Abstract Objective: To examine the correlation between measurements of crown rump length (CRL), nuchal translucency (NT), and birth weight in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all twin term pregnancies delivered between 2001 and 2007 at the McGill University Health Center. Data collected included maternal age, CRL and NT measurement, results of glucose challenge test, birth weight and length, gestational age at delivery, and fetal gender. Results: The study population comprised 792 fetuses: 94 MC/DA and 698 DC/DA. Maternal age, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and birth length were all significantly higher for the DC group. Male fetuses had significantly higher NT and higher birth weight than female fetuses. Discordance in CRL was found to correlate with discordance in birth weight in the entire study population (P<0.0001, R=0.25), in the DC twins (P<0.0001, R=0.275), but not in MC twins (R=0.10, P=0.33). CRL discordance above the 90th percentile (>12%) predicted 14/40 pregnancies with birth weight discordance above the 90th percentile (>24%) [P<0.001, LR=4.1 (2.6-6.2)]. CRL discordance above the 95th percentile (>16%) predicted 5/21 pregnancies with birth weight discordance above the 95th percentile (>30%) [P<0.001, LR=5.5 (2.6-10.4)]. NT discordance was correlated with CRL discordance (R=0.15, P<0.0001), but not with birth weight, regardless of chorionicity or gender. Conclusion: In twin pregnancies, CRL discordance in first trimester can predict discordance of more than 25% in neonatal birth weight.     

Velamentous cord insertion in dichorionic and monochorionic twin pregnancies – Does it make a difference?

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twins with and without twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and to study the associated outcomes.MethodsWe recorded the type of umbilical cord insertion in all consecutive DC and MC placentas examined in two European tertiary medical centers. The association between VCI and perinatal outcomes was estimated and compared.ResultsA total of 1498 twin placentas were included in this study (DC placentas n = 550, MC placentas without TTTS n = 513 and MC placentas with TTTS n = 435). The prevalence of VCI in DC, MC without TTTS and MC with TTTS groups was 7.6%, 34.7% and 36.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). In MC twins (non-TTTS and TTTS groups), VCI was associated with severe birth weight discordance (odds ratio [OR] 4.76 95% CI 2.43, 10.47 and OR 4.52 95% CI 1.30, 28.59, respectively). In MC twins without TTTS, VCI was associated with small for gestational age (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.12, 2.50). VCI was significantly associated with increased risk of intrauterine fetal demise in MC twins, and this effect was greater in the non-TTTS group (OR 2.71 95% CI 1.38, 5.47). These associations did not occur in DC group. Gestational age at birth was lower in the presence of VCI in the DC and MC twins without TTTS.ConclusionOur findings confirm that the prevalence of VCI is higher in MC twins than in DC twin pregnancies. VCI is an important indicator of adverse perinatal outcome, particularly in MC twins.     

Outcome of anaemic monochorionic single survivors following early intrauterine rescue transfusion in cases of feto-fetal transfusion syndrome

Objective  To evaluate the outcome of severely anaemic monochorionic (MC) twins surviving the death of their co-twin following early intrauterine rescue transfusion in cases of feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS).
Study design  We reviewed all MC pregnancies complicated with FFTS following primary management, in which a single intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) was diagnosed with certainty within 24 hours between January 1999 and December 2006. We included MC survivors who presented ultrasound or Doppler features of fetal anaemia following the death of their co-twin. Intrauterine transfusion (IUT) was given to all survivors who were anaemic.
Results  Nineteen MC twin pregnancies presented a single intrauterine death (IUD) associated with an anaemic co-twin. Median gestational age at IUD was 23 [20–28] weeks. The median interval between IUD and IUT was 12 [8–24] hours. There were 58% (11/19) healthy survivors. Perinatal death rate was 26% (5/19) including 16% (3/19) intrauterine and 10% (2/19) neonatal deaths. Abnormal prenatal cerebral findings developed in 21% (4/19) cases, always within 1 month after the death of the co-twin. Considering occlusive techniques and other management separately, there were 64% (7/11) and 50% (4/8) healthy survivors, respectively, and perinatal death occurred in 36% (4/11) and 12.5% (1/8) of fetuses, respectively. Prenatal fetal cerebral lesions developed in 9% (1/11) of cases following occlusive techniques and in 37.5% (3/8) of fetuses when managed differently. The median gestational age at delivery in the survivors was 31 [25–38] weeks.
Conclusion  In cases of FFTS with single anaemic survivors, early IUT could be offered following extensive counselling and close follow up.     

Perinatal outcome and management of single fetal death in twin pregnancy: a case series and review

OBJECTIVE: To determine neonatal outcome of single fetal death in twin pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective study was performed on 30 cases of single fetal death in twin pregnancy during the period from August 1971 to December 1997 at Kitasato university hospital. RESULTS: The incidence of single fetal death in twin pregnancy was 6.2% among total number of 481 twins. Prognosis of surviving infants was satisfactory except in one case, with malformation in 10 cases of dichorionic twins (total 242 sets). In contrast, neonatal death occurred in 6 cases of 20 monochorionic twins (total 239 sets), 4 of which were among 7 cases of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Cerebral palsy occurred in 2 infants of monochorionic twins. One case was diagnosed as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) within one week after birth, and this was the case of delivery 1 day after one twin fetal death. CONCLUSION: Single fetal death itself occurs more often in monochorionic twins. There seems to be a benign outcome for the surviving dichorionic twins. On the other hand, there may be a grave outcome, though infrequent, for monochorionic twins when concomitant TTTS has existed. It is very important to identify the chorionicity by ultrasound examination in early pregnancy.