Neurodevelopmental Trajectories of Preterm Born Survivors of Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: From Birth to 5 Years of Age

Neurodevelopmental outcome at 5.5 years in Dutch preterm infants born at 24-26 weeks' gestational age: the EPI-DAF study

OBJECTIVE

After lowering the Dutch threshold for active treatment from 25 to 24 completed weeks' gestation, survival to discharge increased by 10% in extremely preterm live born infants. Now that this guideline has been implemented, an accurate description of neurodevelopmental outcome at school age is needed.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

All neonatal intensive care units in the Netherlands.

PATIENTS

All infants born between 240/7 and 266/7 weeks' gestation who were 5.5 years' corrected age (CA) in 2018-2020 were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measure was neurodevelopmental outcome at 5.5 years. Neurodevelopmental outcome was a composite outcome defined as none, mild or moderate-to-severe impairment (further defined as neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI)), using corrected cognitive score (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Scale-III-NL), neurological examination and neurosensory function. Additionally, motor score (Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2-NL) was assessed. All assessments were done as part of the nationwide, standardised follow-up programme.

RESULTS

In the 3-year period, a total of 632 infants survived to 5.5 years' CA. Data were available for 484 infants (77%). At 5.5 years' CA, most cognitive and motor (sub)scales were significantly lower compared with the normative mean. Overall, 46% had no impairment, 36% had mild impairment and 18% had NDI. NDI-free survival was 30%, 49% and 67% in live born children at 24, 25 and 26 weeks' gestation, respectively (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After lowering the threshold for supporting active treatment from 25 to 24 completed weeks' gestation, a considerable proportion of the surviving extremely preterm children did not have any impairment at 5.5 years' CA.

Developmental outcomes for survivors of placental laser photocoagulation for the management of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

BACKGROUND

Fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses reverses the pathological process in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, thereby increasing survival, but there are a paucity of studies addressing long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of survivors. This study aimed to ascertain the presence of neurodevelopmental disabilities in child survivors of monochorionic pregnancies managed by placental laser photocoagulation in the Australian state of Victoria.

METHODS

All pregnancies undergoing placental laser photocoagulation with the Victorian Fetal Therapy Service between 2006-2017 were included. Information on each surviving child, including demographics, perinatal course, and developmental progress was collected from parents, and consent was sought to complete the Child Behaviour Checklist. Interviewers evaluated whether this information was consistent with a diagnosis of any of 14 neurodevelopmental conditions. A three-tiered outcome measure was allocated for each child: (1) unimpaired or developmentally normal, (2) mild or moderate neurological impairment, or (3) severe neurological impairment. Clinical predictors for adverse outcome were identified.

RESULTS

Of 116 pregnancies (113 twin, 3 triplet), 96 (83%) resulted in 1 + surviving fetuses. 57/113 (50%) twin pregnancies resulted in 2 survivors, 36 (32%) in 1 survivor, and 20 (18%) in no survivors. Of the 235 fetuses, 154 (65.5%) survived to follow-up. Survival increased from 59% in 2006-2008 to 73% in 2015-2017. 90/154 (58%) survivors were followed up at a mean age of 7.5 [SD 3.0] years. Based on parental interview and Child Behaviour Checklist data, 28/90 (31%) participants were assessed as having neurodevelopmental impairment, 27 of mild-moderate severity and 1 severe. Speech/language disorders, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorders, and fine motor impairment were most common. Neonatal length of stay conferred the highest risk of impairment.

CONCLUSION

Substantial variation exists between fetal therapy services in the type and length of neonatal follow-up following fetoscopic laser coagulation, contributing to a lack of data on long-term outcomes. The findings from this study support increasingly urgent calls to undertake systematic and sustained follow-up of fetoscopic laser coagulation survivors until school age. Information from this study may assist parents in their decision-making when offered fetal surgery. Importantly, it highlights a group for targeted surveillance and early intervention.

Fetal anemia in monochorionic twins: a review on diagnosis, management, and outcome

INTRODUCTION

Monochorionic twins may develop fetal anemia when blood is unequally distributed via the placental vascular anastomoses. This review focuses on the causes of fetal anemia in complicated monochorionic twins and highlights the differences in management and outcome.

AREAS COVERED

Fetal anemia can occur in the context of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS), chronic twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and acute peripartum TTTS, and in cotwins after single fetal demise. Diagnosis of fetal anemia is based on abnormal Doppler ultrasound measurements. Management options include fetoscopic laser surgery, intrauterine blood transfusion, or expectant management, depending on the type of complication and the severity of the disease. In all complications, fetal anemia may lead to perinatal mortality, neonatal morbidity, severe cerebral injury, and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. In TAPS specifically, anemic donors may also show bilateral deafness.

EXPERT OPINION

Knowledge on the diagnosis and optimal treatment in TTTS is nowadays widespread, but caregivers often fail to distinguish TAPS from acute peripartum TTTS at birth. A full blood count including reticulocyte count is required, and placental dye injection is extremely helpful to reach the correct diagnosis and establish the optimal management.

Long-term follow-up of complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies: Focus on neurodevelopment

Monochorionic twin pregnancies have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Due to the advancements in screening and treatment strategies, mortality rates have decreased. Improving survival rates demands a shift in scope toward long-term outcomes. In this review, we focus on neurodevelopmental outcome in survivors from complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS), acute peripartum TTTS, acute perimortem TTTS, selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) and monoamnionicity. Our aim is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the long-term outcome in survivors, including psychomotor development and quality of life, and provide recommendations for future research and follow-up programs.