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Reyna-Villasmil E, Briceño-Pérez C, Briceño-Sanabria JC. Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:531-538. [PMID: 35263768 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1744259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a typical complication of monochorionic twin pregnancies (MCTP). Placental vessels that communicate in the chorionic plate between donor and recipient, are responsible for the imbalance of blood flow. Circulatory imbalance causes hypovolemia in donor and hypervolemia in recipient fetus. In a typical case, recipient fetus develops polyhydramnios, weight gain, cardiomegaly and hydrops fetalis. In contrast, donor fetus develops oligohydramnios and fetal growth restriction. AIM The objective of this review is to evaluate in detail the main diagnostic aspects and add other important data for diagnosis of TTTS. SCIENTIFIC BASES The main diagnostic event for this condition is based on the ultrasonographic discovery of oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence. Other useful elements for diagnosis, staging and prognosis are fetal urinary bladder visualization, urinary bladder volumen measurements, edema of subcutaneous and/or generalized tissue edema, Doppler flow velocity waves and cardiac evaluation. CONCLUSION Considerations regarding diagnosis of TTTS make it possible to emphasize that role of physicians treating patients with MCTP is to identify ultrasound sequence of oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios. Other ultrasonographic fetal data as fetal urinary bladder visualization, urinary bladder volumen measurements, edema of subcutaneous and/or generalized tissue edema, Doppler flow velocity waves and cardiac evaluation; may help diagnosis, staging and prognosis of TTTS. It is their responsibility to accurately assess severity, therapeutic possibilities and prognosis. KEY POINTS · The role of physicians treating patients with MCTP, regarding diagnosis of TTTS, must be to identify ultrasound sequence of oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios.. · Other ultrasonographic fetal data may help diagnosis, staging, and prognosis of TTTS as follows: fetal urinary bladder visualization, urinary bladder volume measurements, edema of subcutaneous and/or generalized tissue edema, Doppler flow velocity waves, and cardiac evaluation.. · It is physicians' responsibility to accurately assess severity, therapeutic possibilities, and prognosis of patients with MCTP and diagnosis of TTTS..
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Anh ND, Hung HS, Sim NT, Ha NTT, Nguyen DL, Bac ND, Tong HV, Ville Y, Thuong PTH. Fetoscopic Laser Ablation for the Selective Fetal Reduction in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Stage II-IV: The Experience of a New Fetal Medicine Center. Int J Womens Health 2022; 14:555-563. [PMID: 35444472 PMCID: PMC9015043 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s350433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the surgery outcomes of fetoscopic laser ablation (FLA) for selective umbilical cord in treating twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with special conditions and neonatal outcomes post-operation. Methods A prospective study, 21 monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins diagnosed with TTTS stage II–IV according to Quintero classification from 16 to 26 weeks of gestation, among that, 12 cases of TTTS stage II with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), 6 cases of TTTS stage II with proximate cord insertions, 3 cases of TTTS stage IV underwent fetoscopic laser ablation for the selective fetal reduction at Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from September 2019 to July 2021. Complications and surgical outcomes were noted. Prenatal care was carried out every 2 weeks post operation until birth. Newborn neurologic complications were assessed at birth, three months, and six months after birth using Denver II test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results The mean gestational age at operation was 20.30 weeks. The average operation duration was 39.52 minutes. No complications of operation, such as bleeding or infection, were recorded. The mean gestational age at birth was 34.70 ± 4.33 weeks, with a mean duration of 12.97 ± 6.87 weeks between intervention and delivery. The survival rate of newborns after the operation was 90.48%. There were two stillbirths (9.52%) within seven days after the operation. No short-term neurological complications have been reported with follow-up of the newborn to 6 months after birth. Conclusion Our study showed that fetoscopic laser ablation of selected fetal reduction surgery for treatment of special conditions of TTTS had no complications of operation, high neonatal survival result (90.48%), no short-term neurological complications. This should be considered for TTTS in cases of indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Duy Anh
- Fetal Medicine Centre, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ho Sy Hung
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Sim
- Fetal Medicine Centre, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Thu Ha
- Department of Assisted Reproductive and Andrology, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Nguyen Duy Bac
- Department of Education and Training, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Van Tong
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applied Research Center, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Yves Ville
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at Necker-Enfants-Malades Hospital at the Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Phan Thi Huyen Thuong
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Department of Delivery, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Hiersch L, Barrett J, Fox NS, Rebarber A, Kingdom J, Melamed N. Should twin-specific growth charts be used to assess fetal growth in twin pregnancies? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 227:10-28. [PMID: 35114185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of twin pregnancies is the slower rate of fetal growth when compared with singleton pregnancies during the third trimester. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and whether it represents pathology or benign physiological adaptation are currently unclear. One important implication of these questions relates to the type growth charts that should be used by care providers to monitor growth of twin fetuses. If the slower growth represents pathology (ie, intrauterine growth restriction caused uteroplacental insufficiency), it would be preferable to use a singleton growth chart to identify a small twin fetus that is at risk for perinatal mortality and morbidity. If, however, the relative smallness of twins is the result of benign adaptive mechanisms, it is likely preferable to use a twin-based charts to avoid overdiagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction in twin pregnancies. In the current review, we addressed this question by describing the differences in fetal growth between twin and singleton pregnancies, reviewing the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms responsible for slower fetal growth in twins, summarizing available empirical evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of the 2 types of charts for intrauterine growth restriction in twin pregnancies, and addressing the question of whether uncomplicated dichorionic twins are at an increased risk for fetal death when compared with singleton fetuses. We identified a growing body of evidence that shows that the use of twin charts can reduce the proportion of twin fetuses identified with suspected intrauterine growth restriction by up to 8-fold and can lead to a diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction that is more strongly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and hypertensive disorders than a diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction based on a singleton-based chart without compromising the detection of twin fetuses at risk for adverse outcomes caused by uteroplacental insufficiency. We further found that small for gestational age twins are less likely to experience adverse perinatal outcomes or to have evidence of uteroplacental insufficiency than small for gestational age singletons and that recent data question the longstanding view that uncomplicated dichorionic twins are at an increased risk for fetal death caused by placental insufficiency. Overall, it seems that, based on existing evidence, the of use twin charts is reasonable and may be preferred over the use of singleton charts when monitoring the growth of twin fetuses. Still, it is important to note that the available data have considerable limitations and are primarily derived from observational studies. Therefore, adequately-powered trials are likely needed to confirm the benefit of twin charts before their use is adopted by professional societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liran Hiersch
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jon Barrett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan S Fox
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates, PLLC, New York, NY
| | - Andrei Rebarber
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates, PLLC, New York, NY
| | - John Kingdom
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nir Melamed
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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De la Calle M, Bartha JL, García L, Cuerva MJ, Ramiro-Cortijo D. Women Aged over 40 with Twin Pregnancies Have a Higher Risk of Adverse Obstetrical Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413117. [PMID: 34948726 PMCID: PMC8701912 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Maternal age is related to a higher risk of adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. However, whether this increase in adverse outcomes is due solely to age or due to risk factors that are more common in women over 40 remains unknown. The aim of this study is to assess if maternal age over 40 years old is an independent risk factor for obstetric adverse outcomes in dichorionic diamniotic twin gestations. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we compared the obstetric outcomes of women with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies below and over 40 years of age. A twin pregnancy cohort enrolled between 2013 and 2019 was included in the study. Maternal, fetal, and labor complications were recorded. A total of 510 women were analyzed in two groups: 266 women below 40 years old and 244 women over 40 years old. Maternal age over 40 increased the odds of maternal (aOR = 1.9 (1.3; 2.9); p-value = 0.002), fetal (aOR = 1.8 (1.0; 3.0); p-value = 0.037), and labor complications (aOR = 2.5 (1.3; 4.6); p-value = 0.004). Maternal age over 40 years was the most important factor increasing the odds of having a caesarean section (C-section). Over 40 years old was an independent risk factor for complications in dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María De la Calle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.l.C.); (J.L.B.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Jose L. Bartha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.l.C.); (J.L.B.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Laura García
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Marcos J. Cuerva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.D.l.C.); (J.L.B.); (M.J.C.)
| | - David Ramiro-Cortijo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
With the increasing rate of twin pregnancies due to increase in maternal age and use of assisted reproduction, it is important to be aware of unique diseases which occur specifically to twin pregnancies, especially in monochorionic twin pregnancies. These entities include twin to twin transfusion syndrome, twin anemia polycythemia sequence, twin reversed arterial perfusion, cotwin demise, and conjoined twins. Early evaluation and documentation are imperative to guide management which ultimately leads to better patient outcomes.
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Evaluation of a Microhaplotype-Based Noninvasive Prenatal Test in Twin Gestations: Determination of Paternity, Zygosity, and Fetal Fraction. Genes (Basel) 2020; 12:genes12010026. [PMID: 33375453 PMCID: PMC7823673 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a novel type of genetic marker, the microhaplotype has shown promising potential in forensic research. In the present study, we analyzed maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples from twin pregnancies to validate microhaplotype-based noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for paternity, zygosity, and fetal fraction (FF). Paternity was determined with the combined use of the relMix package, zygosity was evaluated by examining the presence of informative loci with two fetal genome complements, and FF was assessed through fetal allele ratios. Paternity was determined in 19 twin cases, among which 13 cases were considered dizygotic (DZ) twins based on the presence of 3~10 informative loci and the remaining 6 cases were considered monozygotic (MZ) twins because no informative locus was observed. With the fetal genomic genotypes as a reference, the accuracy of paternity and zygosity determination were confirmed by standard short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Moreover, the lower FF, higher FF, and combined FF in each DZ plasma sample were closely related to the estimated value. This present preliminary study proposes that microhaplotype-based NIPT is applicable for paternity, zygosity, and FF determination in twin pregnancies, which are expected to be advantageous for both forensic and clinical settings.
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Norwitz ER, McNeill G, Kalyan A, Rivers E, Ahmed E, Meng L, Vu P, Egbert M, Shapira M, Kobara K, Parmar S, Goel S, Prins SA, Aruh I, Persico N, Robins JC, Kirshon B, Demko ZP, Ryan A, Billings PR, Rabinowitz M, Benn P, Martin KA, Hedriana HL. Validation of a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Non-Invasive Prenatal Test in Twin Gestations: Determination of Zygosity, Individual Fetal Sex, and Fetal Aneuploidy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E937. [PMID: 31261782 PMCID: PMC6679081 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We analyzed maternal plasma cell-free DNA samples from twin pregnancies in a prospective blinded study to validate a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for zygosity, fetal sex, and aneuploidy. Zygosity was evaluated by looking for either one or two fetal genome complements, fetal sex was evaluated by evaluating Y-chromosome loci, and aneuploidy was assessed through SNP ratios. Zygosity was correctly predicted in 100% of cases (93/93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 96.1%-100%). Individual fetal sex for both twins was also called with 100% accuracy (102/102; 95% weighted CI 95.2%-100%). All cases with copy number truth were also correctly identified. The dizygotic aneuploidy sensitivity was 100% (10/10; 95% CI 69.2%-100%), and overall specificity was 100% (96/96; 95% weighted CI, 94.8%-100%). The mean fetal fraction (FF) of monozygotic twins (n = 43) was 13.0% (standard deviation (SD), 4.5%); for dizygotic twins (n = 79), the mean lower FF was 6.5% (SD, 3.1%) and the mean higher FF was 8.1% (SD, 3.5%). We conclude SNP-based NIPT for zygosity is of value when chorionicity is uncertain or anomalies are identified. Zygosity, fetal sex, and aneuploidy are complementary evaluations that can be carried out on the same specimen as early as 9 weeks' gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Errol R Norwitz
- Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ling Meng
- Natera, Inc., San Carlos, CA 94070, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Israel Aruh
- Dr. Israel Aruh's IVF and Infertility Clinic, 35220 Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Jared C Robins
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Brian Kirshon
- Houston Perinatal Associates, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Herman L Hedriana
- Natera, Inc., San Carlos, CA 94070, USA.
- University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA.
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