Fetal and postnatal brain MRI in premature infants with twin–twin transfusion syndrome

Abstract

To describe the findings on fetal and postnatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in premature infants with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and to determine whether currently used staging systems and other fetal and postnatal factors correlate with brain injury in this population. We performed a prospective study of 22 premature infants with TTTS whose mothers had fetal MRIs. Postnatal brain MRI was performed at term equivalent age (38 to 44 weeks) and medical records were reviewed. Brain injury was scored on fetal and postnatal MRIs using an injury scale incorporating hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic injury. The median (range) gestational age (GA) was 31 weeks (26 to 35) and birth weight (BW) was 1296 g (762 to 2330). In all, 5/22 patients (23%) had brain injury seen on fetal MRI and 15/22 patients (68%) had brain injury seen on postnatal MRI. Quintero stage was the only predictor variable that was significantly correlated with the total brain injury score (P=0.05). Postnatal brain injury in premature infants with TTTS is correlated with Quintero stage. GA and BW are not predictive of brain injury in this cohort of infants.