Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence: Perinatal Management and Outcome

Eran Ashwal, Yoav Yinon*, Michal Fishel-Bartal, Abraham Tsur, Benjamin Chayen, Boaz Weisz, Shlomo Lipitz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine the perinatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). Methods: All monochorionic twins diagnosed with TAPS between 2011 and 2014 were included. Each twin pair with TAPS (study group) was compared with 2 uncomplicated monochorionic twin pairs who were matched for gestational age at delivery (control group). Neonatal morbidity and mortality were evaluated. Results: During the study period, 179 monochorionic twins were followed at our center, of whom 46 underwent laser ablation due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. TAPS was diagnosed in 10 cases; 8 of them were spontaneous, and 2 occurred following laser surgery. Out of 7 patients diagnosed prenatally with TAPS, 5 cases were managed expectantly, and 2 cases were treated with intrauterine blood transfusion. The rates of severe and mild central nervous system lesions on postnatal ultrasound were similar in the TAPS group and control group (5.0 vs. 2.5%, p = 0.61, and 5.0 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.25, respectively). Additionally, severe neonatal morbidity was comparable between the groups. All neonates were alive at 1 month of age. Conclusion: The neonatal outcome of monocohorionic twins affected by TAPS is favorable and comparable to gestational age-matched uncomplicated monochorionic twins.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)28-34
Number of pages7
JournalFetal Diagnosis and Therapy
Volume40
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2016

Keywords

  • Intrauterine transfusion
  • Monochorionic twins
  • Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence

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