Neurological complications after therapy for fetal-fetal transfusion syndrome: a systematic review of the outcomes at 24 months.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to review the available scientific evidence about mid-term neurological outcomes in twins after laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

METHODS: A systematic review of studies on neurodevelopmental outcomes (cognition, motor development, communication skills and cerebral palsy) of twins after laser therapy for TTTS was conducted. Outcomes at 24 months of age and the use of validated scales for assessment were the selected criteria. Electronic and manual research identified 25 studies, and nine of them were eligible for the review.

RESULTS: The global mean rate of neurological injury in twins treated with laser was 14.07%. The mean rate of cognitive impairment was 8.41%, 11.14% for motor delay, 16.5% for communication delay and 5.73% for cerebral palsy. These rates were higher than the results found in dichorionic twins, but lower than the results found in twins treated with amnio-reductions or conservative management.

CONCLUSION: Laser therapy is associated with a lower rate of neurological injury at 24 months of age compared to other therapeutic techniques. This tendency was also observed with specific incidences regarding cognition, motor skills and cerebral palsy.