Twin to twin transfusion syndrome

This case report describes necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in an infant with a history of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS is a volume imbalance where the anastomosis at the vascular equator between the two placentae shifts from the donor to the recipient twin. This causes a higher risk for NEC, a marked inflammation caused by bacterial infection into the intestinal wall, from prematurity and intestinal hypoperfusion. Complications include sepsis, bowel necrosis, perforation, peritonitis, and death...

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review explores cardiac adaptation in monochorionic (MC) twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) or selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) and assesses the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, 63 studies were reviewed (49 on cardiac adaptation, 13 on CHD, one on both). A narrative synthesis of cardiac adaptation patterns was performed. Additionally, a meta-analysis compared the livebirth prevalence of CHD in TTTS and sFGR against uncomplicated MC twins...

OBJECTIVES: Antenatal management of monochorionic pregnancies complicated by twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) remains sub-optimally defined. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fetoscopic selective laser photocoagulation with respect to fetal and neonatal survival. METHODS: A case series is reported with patients referred to the Texas Children's Fetal Center for evaluation and management of suspected spontaneous TAPS without concomitant twin-to-twin syndrome from 2014 to 2023...

BACKGROUND: The effect of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) on perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies is unclear due to conflicting findings. This retrospective study aimed to examine VCI prevalence and related risk factors in twin pregnancies and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Women with twin pregnancies who delivered between January 2012 and December 2021 in a single tertiary hospital were included. The participants were divided into dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) groups, and their maternal and fetal characteristics and VCI rates were compared...

OBJECTIVE: It was to explore the ultrasonic characteristics of complications of twin pregnancies with monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) during various pregnancy periods and the differences in pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: One hundred pregnant women with MCDA were included in the study. They were rolled into a complication group (44 cases) and a non-complication group (56 cases) according to whether they had complications. The pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and systolic/diastolic (S/D) values of ultrasound in pregnant women and the final neonatal situation at each time period were compared and analyzed...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a cardiac or pulmonary function support system that is used in cases of refractory organ failure in addition to conventional treatment. Currently, Level I evidence is not yet available, which reflects improved outcomes with ECMO in pregnant women, the use in pregnancy should be indicated in selected cases and only in specialized centers. We searched articles in the most important scientific databases from 2009 until 31 December 2023 consulting also the site ClinicalTrials...

OBJECTIVES: Fetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses is usually performed for a treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). A common complication of fetoscopic laser coagulation for TTTS is preterm preliminary rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) aggravating the neonatal outcome significantly. However, use of an flexible 1 mm fetoscope with an curved sheath could reduce iatrogenic damage of the amniotic membrane and improve neonatal outcomes after laser treatment...

Fetuses undergo major surgical stress as well as fluid shifts secondary to both twin-twin transfusion (TTTS) as well as the fetoscopic surgery for treatment of TTTS. While the pathophysiology of TTTS is understood, the acute metabolic changes that fetuses experience from fetoscopic surgery are not. We sought to evaluate the changes in recipient metabolomic profile secondary to TTTS surgery. Amniotic fluid was collected at the beginning and end of four TTTS surgical cases performed from 12/2022-2/2023. Samples were immediately processed and evaluated via NMR-based Metabolomics Facility protocol...

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the incidence, prenatal factors and outcomes of twin-to-twin transfusion (TTTS) with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to identify relevant studies published until February 2023 in English using the databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies reporting on pregnancies with TTTS and RVOTO were included. The random-effect model pooled the mean differences or odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals...

Endoscopes navigate within the human body to observe anatomical structures with minimal invasiveness. A major shortcoming of their use is their narrow field-of-view during navigation in large, hollow anatomical regions. Mosaics of endoscopic images can provide surgeons with a map of the tool's environment. This would facilitate procedures, improve their efficiency, and potentially generate better patient outcomes. The emergence of magnetically steered endoscopes opens the way to safer procedures and creates an opportunity to provide robotic assistance both in the generation of the mosaic map and in navigation within this map...

OBJECTIVE: Triplet gestations are associated with increased maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications particularly early and extreme preterm delivery. Identifying and interrupting the preterm delivery cascade could prevent the fetal, neonatal, and long-term childhood complications. The shared circulation and placental vascular anastomosis are responsible for the occurrence of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, selective fetal growth restriction as well as the higher risk of morbidity and mortality observed in mono and dichorionic compared to trichorionic triplet gestations...

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to compare maternal, chorionicity and neonatal complications in monochorionic (MC) twins between spontaneously conceived (SC) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study between January 2010 to December 2019 at a tertiary referral University center. All consecutive pregnancies with MC twins that delivered at our University hospital were included. Maternal, chorionicity and neonatal complications were recorded and compared between SC and ART pregnancies...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of high middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) with fetal demise in donor twins among pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in the absence of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS). METHODS: This prospective cohort study included TTTS cases that underwent laser surgery between 2011 and 2022 at a single center. TAPS cases were excluded from the study. The primary objective was to explore the association of high MCA-PSV (>1...

To characterize the neonatal hemodynamic profiles in recipients born after twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with fetoscopic selective laser coagulation (FSLC). Retrospective analysis during the first month of life of recipient twins. Of the 480 newborns born during an 11-year period, 138 recipient twins with prenatal FSLC were classified into four groups: no hemodynamic impairment (NoHI, n = 102, 74%), isolated high blood pressure (HighBP, n = 18, 13%), right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO, n = 10, 7%), and cardiac failure (CF, n = 8, 6%)...

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to investigate outcomes in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) at <18 weeks vs ≥18 weeks, and to conduct subgroup analysis of TTTS with FLS at <16 weeks vs 16-18 weeks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched systematically from inception until May 2023. Primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), preterm birth and gestational age (GA) at delivery...

INTRODUCTION: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) remains a major complication of fetal laser surgery in the treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The aim of the study was to determine the impact of cannula size on pregnancy outcomes, with a particular focus on PPROM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The protocol was developed and registered in the PROSPERO database under registration number CRD42022333630. The PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched electronically on May 18, 2022, and updated on March 2, 2023, utilizing a combination of the relevant MeSH terms, keywords, and word variants for "TTTS" and "laser"...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate twin survival stratified by Quintero stage in patients with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) after Solomon laser treatment. METHODS: Single center cohort of consecutive twin pregnancies treated with Solomon laser for TTTS. Preoperative Quintero stage, perioperative characteristics and obstetric factors were related to neonatal survival of the recipient and donor at discharge. Determinants of twin survival were evaluated using univariate, logistic regression and cumulative survival probability analyses...

BACKGROUND: The condition of monozygotic, monochorionic triplet fetuses with a pair of conjoined twins is extremely rare (close to one in a million births), presents challenges in its management, and with poor prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy, ultrasound at 14 weeks shows a pair of conjoined thoracopagus fetuses, sharing heart, liver, and umbilical cord, in addition to omphalocele. The third fetus, without malformations, presents signs of early heart failure compatible with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome...

BACKGROUND: ART is associated with higher rates of twin pregnancies than singleton pregnancies. Whether twin pregnancies conceived following ART have additional maternal and neonatal complications compared with non-ART twin pregnancies is not known. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The objective was to quantify the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among twin pregnancies conceived following ART compared with non-ART and natural conception. Existing reviews vary in the reported outcomes, with many studies including triplet pregnancies in the study population...

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a serious complication in monochorionic (MC) pregnancies. Fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) is the primary treatment for advanced TTTS, but managing Quintero stage I TTTS is still controversial. We conducted an observational study evaluating the 2-year neurodevelopment of fetuses, which underwent FLS for stage I TTTS, compared with advanced TTTS and uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twins (MCDTs). The study included 156 children: 14 in stage I TTTS group, 28 in advanced TTTS group, and 114 in uncomplicated twin group...