Twin transfusion syndrome: A review of 19 cases studied at one institution

Abstract

In 130 monochorial twin pregnancies studied at one institution, twin transfusion syndrome was diagnosed 19 times. In 10 instances both twins were lost in the perinatal period; in 5, only one twin survived; in 4, both twins survived. Most of the deaths occured in utero early in pregnancy. Hydramnios was frequent. The twin transfusion syndrome is shown to account for a significant number of the fetal and neonatal deaths in twin pregnancies and is responsible in large measure for the greater fetal and neonatal risk in monochorial than in dichorial twin gestation.