Neurodevelopmental outcome of monochorionic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction (SIUGR) type II: laser versus expectant management

Infant outcome at 3 years of age of monochorionic twins with Type-II or -III selective fetal growth restriction and isolated oligohydramnios that underwent fetoscopic laser photocoagulation

OBJECTIVE

To examine infant outcomes at 3 years of age in monochorionic twin pregnancies with Type-II or -III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) and isolated oligohydramnios who underwent fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP).

METHODS

This multicenter prospective cohort study included monochorionic diamniotic twins that underwent FLP for sFGR between 16 and 25 weeks' gestation. The indication for performing FLP was Type-II or -III sFGR with oligohydramnios of the growth-restricted (FGR) twin in which the maximum vertical pocket of amniotic fluid was ≤ 2 cm. This was done in the absence of a typical diagnosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The primary outcome was intact survival rate of both infants at the corrected gestational age of 40 weeks and at 3 years of age. Intact survival at the corrected age of 40 weeks was defined as survival without Grade-III or -IV intraventricular hemorrhage or cystic periventricular leukomalacia. Intact survival at 3 years of age was defined as survival without neurodevelopmental morbidity, which included cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental impairment with a total developmental quotient of < 70, bilateral deafness or bilateral blindness.

RESULTS

Among 45 patients with sFGR, 30 (66.7%) were classified as having Type-II and 15 (33.3%) as Type-III sFGR. The prevalence of intact survival at the corrected age of 40 weeks was 51.1% (n = 23) in FGR twins and 95.5% (n = 42) in larger twins. The prevalence of intact survival at 3 years of age was 46.7% (n = 21) in FGR twins and 86.4% (n = 38) in larger twins. There was one case of miscarriage. Among the 24 FGR twins who were not classified as having intact survival at 3 years of age, 22 (91.7%) cases suffered fetal or infant demise (other than miscarriage), and there was one case of neurodevelopmental impairment. All larger twins who were not diagnosed with intact survival at 3 years of age (n = 6 (13.6%)) had neurological morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

FGR twins and their larger cotwins, when subjected to FLP owing to sFGR coupled with umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities and isolated oligohydramnios, exhibit low rates of neurological morbidity and low mortality, respectively. Therefore, FLP for Type-II or -III sFGR with oligohydramnios may be a feasible management option and one that is preferable to expectant management. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Outcome of laser photocoagulation in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy complicated by Type-II selective fetal growth restriction

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the outcome of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins complicated by Type-II selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) who underwent fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and to validate a previously proposed subclassification system for Type-II sFGR in a large multicenter cohort.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included all MCDA twins complicated by Type-II sFGR who underwent laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses at four large tertiary fetal-care centers between 2006 and 2020. Cases were subclassified according to a recently proposed system based on Doppler evaluation of the ductus venosus (DV) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) into Type-IIA (normal DV flow and MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the growth-restricted fetus) or Type-IIB (absent or reversed flow in the DV during atrial contraction and/or MCA-PSV ≥ 1.5 multiples of the median of the growth-restricted fetus). Demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups. Data are presented as mean ± SD or n (%) as appropriate. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients with MCDA twins met our inclusion criteria, with 56 subclassified as Type IIA and 42 as Type IIB. Demographic characteristics were similar between the groups; however, Type-IIB cases had a significantly earlier gestational age at diagnosis and at laser surgery, as well as larger intertwin estimated fetal weight discordance, which may be a reflection of disease severity. Postnatal survival of the growth-restricted fetus to 30 days of age was significantly lower in Type-IIB compared to Type-IIA cases (23.8% vs 46.4%; P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

In MCDA twins complicated by Type-II sFGR and treated with laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses, preoperative Doppler assessment of the DV and MCA helped identify a subset of patients at increased risk of demise of the growth-restricted fetus following intervention. This study provides valuable information for guiding surgical management and patient counseling. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Laser therapy versus expectant management for selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic twins: A systematic review

Selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) complicates 10%-26% of monochorionic twins. Treatment options include cord coagulation, expectant management, and fetoscopic laser photocoagulation. This review compared laser to expectant management for situations when cord coagulation is not an option. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were queried for studies that compared laser to expectant management for sFGR. GRADE was used to assess quality prior to meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to generate relative risks. Six studies were included, encompassing 299 pregnancies. One study was randomized and the remainder were retrospective cohorts. Laser is associated with more fetal deaths of the FGR twin compared to expectant management (risk ratio [RR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-4.37, p = 0.001, I2 = 48%). Neonatal deaths and gestational age at delivery did not differ. Laser was associated with decreased abnormal neuroimaging in the AGA twin (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07-0.97, p = 0.05). Neurodevelopmental outcomes did not differ, although these data are limited. Laser causes more fetal deaths of the FGR twin without altering gestational age at delivery or rates of neonatal death. The literature is heterogeneous and the level of bias is high. Randomized trials that address laser for type II sFGR are needed and should include long-term neurological outcomes.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Induces Adulthood Chronic Metabolic Disorder in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscles

Objective

Although population-based studies of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) demonstrated a series of postnatal complications, several studies identified that IUGR could definitely cause dysfunction of metabolism of cardiac and skeletal muscles in the perinatal period and early life. However, it is still unknown if such metabolic alternation would remain for long term or not, and whether normal protein diet administration postnatally would protect the IUGR offsprings from a “catch-up growth” and be able to reverse the premature metabolic remodeling.

Materials and Methods

We established an IUGR rat model with pregnant rats and a low-protein diet, and the developmental phenotypes had been carefully recorded. The cardiac and skeletal muscles had been collected to undergo RNA-seq.

Results

According to a series of comparisons of transcriptomes among various developmental processes, programmed metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation activity had been identified by transcriptome sequencing in IUGR offsprings, even such rats presented a normal developmental curve or body weight after normal postnatal diet feeding.

Conclusion

The data revealed that IUGR had a significant adverse impact on long-term cardiovascular function in rats, even they exhibit good nutritional status. So that, the fetal stage adverse events would encode the lifelong disease risk, which could hide in young age. This study remaindered that the research on long-term molecular changes is important, and only nutrition improvement would not totally reverse the damage of IUGR.

Gestational Age at Birth and outcome in Monochorionic Twins with Different Types of Selective Fetal Growth Restriction: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic review aims to assess the gestational age at birth and perinatal outcome (intrauterine demise (IUD), neonatal mortality and severe cerebral injury) in monochorionic (MC) twins with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR), according to Gratacós classification based on umbilical artery Doppler flow patterns in the smaller twin. Seventeen articles were included. Gestational age at birth varied from 33.0-36.0 weeks in type I, 27.6-32.4 weeks in type II, and 28.3-33.8 weeks in type III. IUD rate differed from 0-4% in type I to 0-40% in type II and 0-23% in type III. Neonatal mortality rate was between 0-10% in type I, 0-38% in type II, and 0-17% in type III. Cerebral injury was present in 0-2% of type I, 2-30% of type II and 0-33% of type III cases. The timing of delivery in sFGR varied substantially among studies, particularly in type II and III. The quality of evidence was moderate due to heterogenous study populations with varying definitions of sFGR and perinatal outcome parameters, as well as a lack of consensus on the use of the Gratacós classification, leading to substantial incomparability. Our review identifies the urgent need for uniform antenatal diagnostic criteria and definitions of outcome parameters. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Impact of different prenatal management strategies in short- and long-term outcomes in monochorionic twin pregnancies with selective intrauterine growth restriction and abnormal flow velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery Doppler: a retrospective observational study of 108 cases

OBJECTIVES

To review perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcome (NDO) following selective fetoscopic laser coagulation (SFLC), cord coagulation (CC) or expectant management of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) and absent or reverse end-diastolic flow (AREDF) in the umbilical arteries (UA).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Single-centre retrospective observational study.

POPULATION

108 cases of sIUGR diagnosed before 26⁺⁶  weeks' gestation with AREDF in the UA.

METHODS

Survival rate and potential risk factors were analysed. NDO was assessed using parental questionnaires.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Survival, gestational age at delivery and NDO.

RESULTS

SFLC, CC and EM were performed in 13, 50 and 45 cases, respectively, with an overall survival of 23.1, 40 and 77.8% and intrauterine demise of the co-twin of 30.8, 10 and 6.7% respectively. Intrauterine demise of the sIUGR twin occurred in 76.9 and 17.8% following SFLC and EM, respectively. The discordance in EFW at diagnosis was higher and absent/negative a-wave in the ductus venosus (DV) was more prevalent in the surgical groups. NDO in survivors at follow up was abnormal in 0 and 18% in the smaller twin following SFLC and EM, respectively, and in 25, 24 and 21% in the larger twin following SFLC, CC and EM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

SFLC yielded a poor result. EM seems a valid option when EFW discordance is <30% and a-wave in DV is positive. Otherwise, CC should be considered to protect the AGA co-twin. The long-term outcome of both small and large twins seems unaffected by the choice in primary prenatal management strategy.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

In type II sIUGR in MC twins, long-term neurodevelopment is normal in over 80% of the survivors.

Monochorionic diamniotic twins: What do I tell the prospective parents?

Monochorionic diamniotic twins occur in about 1 in 300 pregnancies. Compared with dichorionic twins, they face increased risks because of the shared circulation. In about 15%, an imbalance in blood exchange occurs, such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome and twin anemia polycythemia sequence. In this review, we summarize the latest evidence on the management of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies and their specific complications, with a focus on information that is relevant for prospective parents.

Selective intrauterine growth restriction (SIUGR) type II: proposed subclassification to guide surgical management

Background: Optimal surgical management of monochorionic diamniotic twins complicated by selective intrauterine growth restriction (SIUGR) type II is unknown. Surgical management may involve selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels (SLPCV), which offers the possibility of dual twin survivors versus umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) of the SIUGR twin.Objective: To identify patient characteristics associated with SIUGR twin survival for those undergoing SLPCV.Study design: All patients studied were those who underwent fetal treatment for SIUGR type II at our center from 2006-2018. SIUGR type II was defined as an estimated fetal weight <10th percentile with persistent absent and/or reversed end diastolic flow in the umbilical artery of the SIUGR twin, in the absence of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Patients were offered SLPCV versus UCO, and those undergoing SLPCV, patient characteristics associated with 30-day survival of the SIUGR twin were examined using bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression models.Results: Fifty-four consecutive SIUGR type II patients were treated, 45 via SLPCV and nine via UCO. Of the 45 SLPCV cases, there were 16 (35.6%) with SIUGR twin (and dual) survival. SIUGR twin survival appeared associated with middle cerebral artery (MCA) peak systolic velocity (psv) <1.5 multiples of the median, and forward atrial systolic flow in the ductus venosus (DV). In a post hoc analysis, we subsequently categorized patients as: SIUGR type IIa (N = 32 (71.1%)): normal MCA psv, and normal DV waveform, versus SIUGR type IIb (N = 13 (28.9%)): MCA psv ≥1.5 multiples of the median, and/or DV with absent or reversed atrial systolic flow. Thirty-day survival of the SIUGR twin was 50% for type IIa and 0% for type IIb.Conclusion: Over one-third of SIUGR type II patients experienced dual survival after treatment with laser surgery. Normal MCA psv and normal DV waveforms were associated with SIUGR type II survival of the SIUGR twin. Post hoc exploration and subclassification of SIUGR type II patients by preoperative Doppler indices created two groups, one (type IIa) with 50% survival and one (type IIb) with 0% survival of the SIUGR twin after laser surgery. Upon further confirmation, these findings may provide guidance for counseling patients and conducting fetal therapy.