Umbilical Artery Doppler Ultrasound for the Determination of Chorionicity in Twin Pregnancies

Abstract

Background: Maternal and perinatal complications are higher in twins than in singleton pregnancies. This complications rate is directly related to placental chorionicity in twin pregnancies. Early diagnosis of twins and their chorionicity is necessary to reduce the perinatal mortality. It can be determined by different methods in the first trimester. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool in management of twin pregnancy. Ultrasound in evaluation of the chorionicity decreases later in gestational weeks. The aim of this study is to determine the chorionicity by using Doppler ultrasonography in second and third trimesters. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to their chorionicity. Pregnancies with dichorionic placentas were included into group 1, while with monochorionic placentas were included into group 2. In both groups, PI, RI and S/D indices of umbilical artery were measured in each fetus. Whether there is a significant difference between the groups in the Doppler parameters was evaluated. Results: The PI, RI and S/D indices of umbilical artery doppler ultrasonography were different between the twins with dichorionic placentas (p < 0.05), but they were similar in twins with monochorionic placentas. Conclusions: Based on our study results, we suggest that the Doppler ultrasonography can be useful method for chorionicity determination of twin pregnancies at second and third trimesters, if chorionicity has not determined until the end of second trimester. doi:10.4021/ jcgo29w