[Newborn outcomes after radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction in the complicated monochorionic pregnancies].

OBJECTIVE: To describe perinatal data and to evaluate the neonatal neurological outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies with selective termination by radiofrequency ablation.

METHODS: Retrospective data of perinatal data for nine consecutive monochorionic pregnancies eligible for radiofrequency ablation from January 2013 to August 2015 were collected. A prospective observational study of the neurological outcome of nine children was conducted using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), 2nd edition, French version, adapted to the age.

RESULTS: The radiofrequency procedures were performed at a mean gestational age (GA) of 21.4 weeks (±7 weeks). The indications for a selective interruption of a pregnancy were: acardiac twin (n=4), brain malformation (n=1), severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with massive cerebral ischemia in the context of twin-twin transfusion syndrome grade III (n=1), severe selective IUGR associated with a polymalformative syndrome (n=1) and severe selective IUGR (n=2). The mean GA at birth was 36.7 weeks GA (±3.8 weeks). No infant showed neurological neonatal morbidity. Any ASQ area explored was pathological (<-2SD) for the nine children (mean age at follow-up [±SD], 14.8 months [±8.8 months]).

CONCLUSION: This work constitutes a preliminary study for developing long-term follow-up and early care programs for those children born subsequent to a radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction.