Dichorionic Triamniotic Triplet Pregnancy Research Articles

Trans-abdominal fetal reduction in higher order multiple pregnancies: a pioneer cohort retrospective study in Nepal.

To share the initial experience of trans-abdominal multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) in Nepal. The procedure was performed in 108 patients in a private hospital over a period of 3 years. Under ultrasound guidance, intracardiac injection of 0.2-3.0ml of 15% w/v (2mEq/ml) potassium chloride (KCl) was administered via trans-abdominal route. A total of 108 fetal reduction procedures were carried out at the seventh to fifteenth weeks of gestation, a maximum of 44 (40.7%) of which were done at the ninth to tenth weeks of gestation. A total of 123 fetuses were reduced. Out of total 108 multifetal pregnancies, 96 (88.8%) were due to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Eighty-five pregnancies (78.7%) underwent reduction from triplet to twin. The second-time reduction was needed in five cases. Two attempts (in the same sitting) were required in three cases. The inadvertent demise of the second fetus was noted in three cases of dichorionic tri-amniotic triplet pregnancy. Ultrasound-guided trans-abdominal fetal reduction performed between the seventh and twelfth weeks of gestation is safe and effective.

Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancies with selective foetal reduction after assisted reproductive technology

BackgroundIt is generally beneficial and recommended that dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet pregnancies be reduced to monochorionic (MC) twin or singleton pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, some infertile couples still have a firm desire to retain twins. For this reason, the best foetal reduction strategies need to be available for infertile couples and clinicians. Given that data on the elective reduction of DCTA triplet pregnancies to twin pregnancies are scarce, we investigated the outcomes of elective reduction of DCTA triplet pregnancies through the retrospective analysis of previous data.MethodPatients with DCTA triplet pregnancies who underwent elective foetal reduction between January 2012 and June 2020 were recruited. A total of 67 eligible patients with DCTA triplet pregnancies were divided into two groups: a DCTA-to-dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin group (n = 38) and a DCTA-to-monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin group (n = 29); the basic clinical data of the two groups were collected for comparison.ResultsCompared with the DCDA-to-MCDA twin group, the DCTA-to-DCDA twin group had lower rates of complete miscarriage (7.89% versus 31.03%, p = 0.014), early complete miscarriage (5.26% versus 24.14%, p = 0.034), late preterm birth (25.71% versus 65.00%, p = 0.009) and very low birth weight (0 versus 11.11%, p = 0.025). In addition, the DCTA-to-DCDA twin group had higher rates of full-term delivery (65.71% versus 25.00%, p = 0.005), survival (92.11% versus 68.97%, p = 0.023), and taking the babies home (92.11% versus 68.97%, p = 0.023) than did the DCTA-to-MCDA twin group. In terms of neonatal outcomes, a significantly greater gestational age (38.06 ± 2.39 versus 36.28 ± 2.30, p = 0.009), average birth weight (3020.77 ± 497.33 versus 2401.39 ± 570.48, p < 0.001), weight of twins (2746.47 ± 339.64 versus 2251.56 ± 391.26, p < 0.001), weight of the larger neonate (2832.94 ± 320.58 versus 2376.25 ± 349.95, p < 0.001) and weight of the smaller neonate (2660.00 ± 345.34 versus 2126.88 ± 400.93, p < 0.001) was observed in the DCTA-to-DCDA twin group compared to the DCTA-to-MCDA twin group.ConclusionThe DCTA-to-DCDA twin group had better pregnancy and neonatal outcomes than the DCTA-to-MCDA twin group. This reduction approach may be beneficial for patients with dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancies who have a strong desire to have DCDA twins.

Perinatal outcomes of fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome in triplet pregnancy: cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aims of this study were to investigate the perinatal outcome of dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) and monochorionic triamniotic (MCTA) triplet pregnancies complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) in two academic fetal centers, and to conduct a systematic review of previously published data to investigate perinatal survival in this targeted population. The first part of the study was a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data of consecutive triplet pregnancies with TTTS that underwent FLP at two fetal treatment centers between 2012 and 2020. Demographic, preoperative and operative variables and postoperative outcome were collected. Perinatal outcomes were investigated. The second part of the study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the outcome of DCTA and/or MCTA triplet pregnancies, including our cohort study. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to September 2020. Primary outcomes were fetal survival (survival to birth), neonatal survival (survival to 28 days of age) and gestational age (GA) at birth. A total of 31 sets of triplets with TTTS managed with FLP were included in the cohort study. Of these, 24 were DCTA and seven were MCTA. There were no significant differences in preoperative and operative variables between the two groups. There were also no significant differences between groups in GA at delivery or perinatal survival rate, including fetal and neonatal survival of at least one triplet, at least two triplets and all three triplets. Nine studies, including our cohort study, were included in the systematic review (156 DCTA and 37 MCTA triplet pregnancies treated with FLP). The overall fetal and neonatal survival was 79% (95% CI, 75-83%) and 75% (95% CI, 71-79%), respectively, in DCTA cases and 74% (95% CI, 52-92%) and 71% (95% CI, 49-89%), respectively, in MCTA cases. The rate of preterm birth before 28 weeks and before 32 weeks' gestation was 14% (95% CI, 4-29%) and 61% (95% CI, 50-72%), respectively, in DCTA triplets and 21% (95% CI, 3-45%) and 82% (95% CI, 62-96%), respectively, in MCTA triplets. Triplet pregnancies with TTTS are at high risk of adverse perinatal outcome and preterm birth, regardless of chorionicity. The rate of survival after FLP in MCTA triplets was higher in our study than that reported in previous studies and is currently comparable with survival in DCTA triplets, which could be due to improved surgical skills. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of dichorionic and trichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy with multifetal pregnancy reduction: a retrospective analysis study

BackgroundIt is generally beneficial for triplet gestation or high-order multiple pregnancies to operate multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) after assisted reproductive techniques. However, data on pregnancy outcomes is lacking regarding dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) and trichorionic triplets (TCTA) pregnancy.MethodThis research analyzes the difference between 128 DCTA and 179 TCTA pregnancies with or without MFPR after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles between January 2015 and June 2020. The subdivided subgroups of the two groups are reduction to singleton, reduction to dichorionic twins, and expectant management groups. We also compare the pregnancy and obstetric outcomes between 2104 dichorionic twins and 122 monochorionic twins.ResultThe research subgroups were DCTA to monochorionic singleton pregnancies (n = 76), DCTA to dichorionic twin pregnancies (n = 18), DCTA-expectant management (n = 34), TCTA to monochorionic singleton pregnancies (n = 31), TCTA to dichorionic twin pregnancies (n = 130), and TCTA-expectant management (n = 18). In DCTA-expectant management group, the complete miscarriage rate is dramatically higher, and the survival rate and the rate of take-home babies are lower. However, there was no difference between the rates of complete miscarriages, survival rates, and take-home babies in TCTA-expectant management group. But the complete miscarriage rate of DCTA-expectant management was obviously higher than that of TCTA-expectant management group (29.41 vs. 5.56%, p = 0.044). For obstetric outcomes, MFPR to singleton group had higher gestational week and average birth weight, but lower premature delivery, gestational hypertension rates and low birth weight in both DCTA and TCTA pregnancy groups (all p < 0.05). DCTA to monochorionic singleton had the lowest incidence of gestational diabetes, whereas The subdivided subgroups of TCTA had no significant difference in the incidence of gestational diabetes. Monochorionic twins have higher rates of complete, early, and late miscarriage, premature delivery, and late premature delivery, and lower survival rate (p < 0.05).ConclusionMFPR could improve gestational week and average birth weight, reducing premature delivery, LBW, and gestational hypertension rates in DCTA and TCTA pregnancies. Monochorionic twins have worse pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. MFPR to singleton is preferable recommended in the pregnancy and obstetric management of complex triplets with monochorionic pair.

Expectant management versus multifetal pregnancy reduction in dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets: Single centre experience

ObjectivesIn trichorionic triplet pregnancies, multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) reduces the risk of preterm birth, neonatal morbidity and mortality without increasing miscarriage. A similar benefit has been suggested in dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) pregnancy, but multiple methods are currently used. This study investigates if the method of reduction used in DCTA triplet pregnancy influences the evidence of benefit from MFPR. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of DCTA pregnancies between 2010 and 2019 who attended a single UK fetal medicine tertiary referral center. Cohorts were defined based on MFPR decision and method. The primary outcome was offspring survival until neonatal discharge. The secondary outcomes included miscarriage, preterm birth, livebirth, rates of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, ans maternal morbidity. To evaluate the differences in neonatal survival until discharge we used Cox proportional regression to calculate hazard rates (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Differences in secondary outcomes were compared using univariate analysis. ResultsThe study reports the outcomes for 83 DCTA pregnancies. MFPR to DCDA twins was chosen in 19 pregnancies (14 radiofrequency ablation, RFA; 5 intrafetal laser, IFL); in 9 pregnancies selective reduction to a singleton was performed by KCl injection. The rate of pregnancies in with ≥ 1 fetus born alive was not different between groups (p = 0.90). However, the number of expected neonates alive at discharge from hospital was highest in the RFA group (89%, HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.21–0.87, p = 0.02). Rates of premature delivery before 32 weeks (p = 0.02), low birth weight (p < 0.001) and birthweight < 10th percentile (p = 0.01) were all elevated in the expectant management group, compared to women who opted for reduction. There was no difference in miscarriage between groups. ConclusionsOur study suggests that MFPR by RFA, an established and widely available procedure, is of benefit in promoting neonatal survival until discharge in DCTA triplets.

Perinatal outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy

Objective: To analyze the perinatal outcomes in different methods of multifetal pregnancy reduction in dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 57 cases of DCTA triplets in Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2020, including 27 cases in expectant pregnancy group and 30 cases in selective fetal reduction (FR) group. The selective FR group was further divided into 3 subgroups according to different FR methods:retaining monochorionic dichorionic (MCDA) group, retaining dichorionic dichorionic (DCDA) group, and retaining singleton group. The perinatal outcomes of expectant pregnancy group and 3 subgroups of selective FR group were compared. Results: The gestational weeks in selective FR group was (34.5±5.7) weeks, and full-term delivery rate was 53% (16/30), respectively higher than those of the expectant pregnancy group (29.9±6.0) weeks and 7% (2/27). The miscarriage rate of the selective FR group was 10% (3/30), lower than that of the expectant pregnancy group (33%, 9/27). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The ratios of pregnancy complications and newborn admission to neonatal ICU (NICU) in the selective FR group were lower than those of the expectant pregnancy group (all P<0.05). In the selective FR group, the gestational weeks in retaining MCDA group (6 cases), retaining DCDA group (13 cases), and retaining singleton group (11 cases) were (32.2±4.3), (33.0±6.3), and (37.4±4.7) weeks; the miscarriage rates were 1/6, 1/13, and 1/11; the premature delivery rates were 4/6, 7/13, and 0/11; the full-term delivery rates were 1/6, 5/13, and 10/11; pregnancies with at least 1 survivor rates were 5/6, 12/13, and 10/11; NICU occupancy rates were 6/8, 9/18 and 0/10, respectively. The retaining singleton group had the highest rate of full-term delivery and the lowest rate of NICU occupancy. Compared with other groups, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The full-term delivery rate was significantly higher in the retaining DCDA group than that of the expectant pregnancy group (P<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of DCTA triplet pregnancy is high. Reduction of the MCDA pair to singleton has the highest rate of full-term delivery and the lowest rate of NICU occupancy. For pregnant women who wish to retain twin pregnancy, the risk should be fully informed, and consider reduction of one fetus of the MCDA and retaining DCDA twins to continue pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancies after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: multifoetal pregnancy reduction versus expectant management

BackgroundTrichorionic triplet pregnancy reduction to twin pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of preterm delivery but not with a lower risk of miscarriage. However, data on dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet pregnancy outcomes are lacking. This study aimed to compare the pregnancy outcomes of DCTA triplets conceived via in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) managed expectantly or reduced to a monochorionic (MC) singleton or monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins at 11–13+ 6 gestational weeks.MethodsTwo hundred ninety-eight patients with DCTA triplets conceived via IVF-ET between 2012 and 2016 were retrospectively analysed. DCTA triplets with three live foetuses were reduced to a MC singleton (group A) or MCDA twins (group B) or underwent expectant management (group C). Each multifoetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) was performed at 11–13+ 6 gestational weeks. Pregnancy outcomes in the 3 groups were compared.ResultsEighty-four DCTA pregnancies were reduced to MC singleton pregnancies, 149 were reduced to MCDA pregnancies, and 65 were managed expectantly.There were no significant differences among groups A, B, and C in miscarriage rate (8.3 vs. 7.4 vs. 10.8%, respectively) and live birth rate (90.5 vs. 85.2 vs. 83.1%, respectively) (P > 0.05).Group A had significantly lower rates of preterm birth (8.3 vs. 84.6%; odds ratio (OR) 0.017, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.006–0.046) and low birth weight (LBW; 9.2 vs. 93.2%; OR 0.007, 95% CI 0.003–0.020) than group C (P < 0.001).Group B had significantly lower preterm birth (47.0 vs. 84.6%; OR 0.161, 95% CI 0.076–0.340) and LBW rates (58.7 vs. 93.2%; OR 0.103, 95% CI 0.053–0.200) than group C (P < 0.001).Group A had significantly lower preterm birth (8.3 vs. 47.0%; OR 0.103, 95% CI 0.044–0.237; P < 0.001), LBW (9.2 vs. 58.7%; OR 0.071, 95% CI 0.032–0.162; P < 0.001) and perinatal death rates (1.3 vs. 9.1%; OR 0.132, 95% CI 0.018–0.991; P = 0.021) than group B.ConclusionThe MFPR of DCTA triplets to singleton or MCDA pregnancies was associated with better pregnancy outcomes compared to expectant management. DCTA triplets reduced to singleton pregnancies had better perinatal outcomes than DCTA triplets reduced to MCDA pregnancies.

Successful monozygotic triplet pregnancy after a single blastocyst transfer following in vitro maturation of oocytes from a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case report

BackgroundAlthough women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)-related sub-fertility are high responders to controlled ovarian stimulation, it is difficult to obtain mature oocytes in these women. Therefore, in vitro maturation (IVM), which is the technique of letting the contents of the ovarian follicles and the oocytes inside mature in vitro, has often been proposed in such women. We describe the first successful delivery of monozygotic triplets resulting from transfer of a single blastocyst following IVM of oocytes.Case presentationA 32-year-old nulligravida female with PCOS underwent IVM. She underwent vitrified-warmed single blastocyst transfer following IVM, and a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy was confirmed at 8 weeks. Healthy triplets were delivered by cesarean section at 33 weeks’ gestation. This is the first case of monozygotic triplets derived from IVM oocytes that were successfully delivered. The determination of chorionicity and amnionicity is generally supposed until 3 days after fertilization, and no division or splitting of her embryo was observed on transfer. Interestingly, her embryo might have split after the transfer, resulting in a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy.ConclusionsPatients should be informed of a possible increased risk of monozygotic multiple pregnancies after single embryo transfer following IVM.

Perinatal mortality and morbidity in triplet pregnancy according to chorionicity: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The incidence of perinatal mortality and morbidity in triplet pregnancies according to chorionicity is yet to be established. The aim of this systematic review was to quantify perinatal mortality and morbidity in trichorionic triamniotic (TCTA), dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) and monochorionic triamniotic (MCTA) triplets. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases were searched in December 2017 for literature published in English describing outcomes of DCTA, TCTA and/or MCTA triplet pregnancies. Primary outcomes were intrauterine death (IUD), neonatal death, perinatal death (PND) and gestational age at birth. Secondary outcomes comprised respiratory, neurological and infectious morbidity, as well as a composite score of neonatal morbidity. Data regarding outcomes were extracted from the included studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the risk of mortality and morbidity and to compute the difference in gestational age at birth between TCTA and DCTA triplet pregnancies. Nine studies (1373 triplet pregnancies, of which 1062 were TCTA, 261 DCTA and 50 MCTA) were included in the analysis. The risk of PND was higher in DCTA than in TCTA triplet pregnancies (odds ratio (OR), 3.3 (95% CI, 1.3-8.0)), mainly owing to the higher risk of IUD in DCTA triplet pregnancies (OR, 4.6 (95% CI, 1.8-11.7)). There was no difference in gestational age at birth between TCTA and DCTA triplets (mean difference, 1.1 weeks (95% CI, -0.3 to 2.5 weeks); I2 = 85%; P = 0.12). Neurological morbidity occurred in 2.0% (95% CI, 1.1-3.3%) of TCTA and in 11.6% (95% CI, 1.1-40.0%) of DCTA triplets. Respiratory and infectious morbidity affected 28.3% (95% CI, 20.7-36.8%) and 4.2% (95% CI, 2.8-5.9%) of TCTA and 34.0% (95% CI, 21.5-47.7%) and 7.1% (95% CI, 2.7-13.3%) of DCTA triplets, respectively. The incidence of composite morbidity in TCTA and DCTA triplets was 29.6% (95% CI, 21.1-38.9%) and 34.0% (95% CI, 21.5-47.7%), respectively. When translating these figures into a risk analysis, the risk of neurological morbidity (OR, 5.4 (95% CI, 1.6-18.3)) was significantly higher in DCTA than in TCTA triplets, while there was no significant difference in the other morbidities explored. Only one study reported on outcomes of MCTA pregnancies, hence, no formal comparison with the other groups was performed. DCTA triplets are at higher risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity than are TCTA triplets. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparisons between two methods of multifetal pregnancy reduction in women with a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy

ObjectiveTo compare the different pregnancy outcomes of women with a reduced dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet managed with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or potassium chloride (KCL). Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. We studied 30 women of DCTA triplets managed with RFA as well as 85 managed with KCL. We compared the mean neonatal birthweight, median gestational age and perinatal mortality of two groups. ResultsThe mean neonatal birthweight of children in RFA group was 2572.4 g (SD, 407.0), vs 2899.3 g (SD, 554.9) in KCL group (P < 0.001). The rate of low birth weight infants was 23 (42.6%) vs. 16 (18.0%), respectively, (p < 0.005). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the median gestational age of delivery, premature birth before 32&37 weeks' gestation, neonatal brain injury or successful pregnancy between two groups. (We define the successful pregnancy as the condition that at least one child survives for a specific woman, while the failed one as no child survives.) ConclusionWhat we took it for granted was that pregnancy outcomes in women with a reduced DCTA triplet managed with RFA was riskier than with KCL, however, we proved that it is not accurate. For women with a reduced DCTA triplet, managed with RFA is not much riskier than with KCL. What's more, most women have two children survived in RFA group, while in KCL group, only one child survives for most women. This result may change the management alternative for those women with DCTA triplet pregnancies who choose reduction, especially for women who desire to have two surviving and healthy fetuses.

Outcome reporting across randomized trials and observational studies evaluating treatments for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: systematic review.

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Potential treatments for the condition require robust evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome reporting across observational studies and randomized controlled trials assessing treatments for TTTS. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched from inception to August 2016. Observational studies and randomized controlled trials reporting outcome following treatment for TTTS in monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy and monochorionic-triamniotic or dichorionic-triamniotic triplet pregnancy were included. Outcome reporting was systematically extracted and categorized. Six randomized trials and 94 observational studies were included, reporting data from 20 071 maternal participants and 3199 children. Six different treatments were evaluated. Included studies reported 62 different outcomes, including six fetal, seven offspring mortality, 25 neonatal, six early childhood and 18 maternal/operative outcomes. Outcomes were reported inconsistently across trials. For example, when considering offspring mortality, 31 (31%) studies reported live birth, 31 (31%) reported intrauterine death, 49 (49%) reported neonatal mortality and 17 (17%) reported perinatal mortality. Four (4%) studies reported respiratory distress syndrome. Only 19 (19%) studies were designed for long-term follow-up and 11 (11%) of these reported cerebral palsy. Studies evaluating treatments for TTTS have often neglected to report clinically important outcomes, especially neonatal morbidity outcomes, and most are not designed for long-term follow-up. The development of a core outcome set could help standardize outcome collection and reporting in TTTS studies. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Intrafetal Laser Coagulation for Trap Sequence in a Complicated Dichorionic Triamniotic Triplet Pregnancy Case Report and Review of the Literature

Summary A rare case is reported of twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in a triplet pregnancy, fetal intervention in the first trimester and pregnancy outcome. We report a case of TRAP sequence complication in dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy, with a normally developing fetus and an acardiac fetus connected via arterio-arterial anastomoses in a monochorionic diamniotic twin pair and a separate fetus. TRAP sequence was diagnosed at 13 weeks in triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer of two blastocysts. Color Doppler assessment showed persistent arterial flow in the acardiac twin. Intrafetal laser coagulation was carried out at the time of the diagnosis, and the pregnancy outcome was two survivals at 36.4 weeks of gestation.

Endoscopic Placental Laser Coagulation in Dichorionic and Monochorionic Triplet Pregnancies

Objective: To report the outcome of monochorionic (MC) and dichorionic (DC) triamniotic (TA) triplet pregnancies treated with endoscopic laser coagulation of the communicating placental vessels for severe feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS) and selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). Methods: Laser surgery was performed at 18 (15-24) weeks' gestation in 11 MCTA and 33 DCTA pregnancies complicated by FFTS and 14 DCTA pregnancies complicated by sFGR. Data from our study and previous reports were pooled using meta-analytic techniques. Results: Survival of at least one baby and survival among all fetuses was 97.0 and 72.7% in DCTA pregnancies with FFTS, 78.6 and 52.4% in DCTA pregnancies with sFGR and 81.8 and 39.4% in MCTA pregnancies with FFTS. In the combined data from our study and previous reports, the pooled survival rates in 132 DCTA pregnancies with FFTS were 94.4 and 76.1%, and in 29 MCTA pregnancies with FFTS, they were 80.6 and 57.5%. Conclusions: Survival after laser surgery is higher in DC triplets with FFTS than in those with sFGR and in DC than in MC triplets with FFTS.

Outcome of Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction in Women with a Dichorionic Triamniotic Triplet Pregnancy to a Singleton Pregnancy: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study

Objective: To study the pregnancy outcomes of women with a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy that was reduced to a singleton pregnancy and to review the literature. Methods: We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study. We compared time to delivery and perinatal mortality in dichorionic triplet pregnancies reduced to singletons with ongoing dichorionic triplet pregnancies and primary singleton pregnancies. Additionally, we reviewed the literature on the subject. Results: We studied 46 women with a reduced dichorionic triplet pregnancy and 42 women with an ongoing dichorionic triplet pregnancy. Median gestational age at delivery was 38.7 vs. 32.8 weeks, respectively (p < 0.001). Delivery <24 weeks occurred in 9 (19.6%) women with a reduced triplet pregnancy and 4 (9.5%) with an ongoing triplet pregnancy (p = 0.19). Perinatal survival rates between the reduced group and the ongoing triplet group were not significantly different. Conclusion: Multifetal pregnancy reduction in women with a dichorionic triplet pregnancy to a singleton pregnancy prolongs median gestational age at birth. No statistically significant association was found with miscarriage and perinatal survival rates.

Early diagnosis, follow-up, and prenatal treatment of a case of TRAP sequence occurring in a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy

We are reporting a case of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence occurring in a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy with successful percutaneous prenatal treatment and excellent neonatal outcome. TRAP sequence was diagnosed at 11 weeks in a spontaneous dichorionic-triamniotic triplet. Sonographic assessment showed persistent arterial flow and development of hydrops in the acardiac twin. Percutaneous cord interstitial laser coagulation was performed, and the co-twin subsequently developed growth restriction. The 9-month-old twins have a normal developmental course. This report confirms that fetal intervention is indicated in cases of TRAP sequence in which the acardiac twin presents a significant enlargement on follow-up sonographic examinations.

Delivery of a Live Newborn in a Triplet Pregnancy Complicated by Preeclampsia after Intrauterine Demise of Two and Expulsion of One Triplet: A Case Report

Delayed interval delivery in twin pregnancies is an unusual occurrence, even more so in triplet pregnancies. We report on a delayed interval delivery in a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Because of severe twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), two fetuses demised at 22 weeks of gestation. One of the two fetuses spontaneously aborted at 25 weeks of gestation. The remaining live fetus and the second demised fetus were delivered by cesarean section 9 weeks later because of the occurrence of preeclampsia. This case indicates that delayed interval delivery in triplets is possible and that preeclampsia can occur after intrauterine demise of two fetuses.

Dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy with monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 13 after preimplantation genetic screening: case report

To report the first dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy discordant for trisomy 13 after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Case report. Private IVF center. A 40-year-old para 1+6 woman. IVF combined with PGS for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, and 22, resulting in the transfer of two embryos. Prenatal fetal ultrasonography revealed a dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy. An amniocentesis, performed at 15-weeks' gestation, confirmed that the singleton and one monozygotic twin were normal but the other monozygotic twin was trisomy 13. After diagnosis and counseling, selective termination of the trisomy 13 monozygotic twin was performed at 16 weeks and 4 days. At 18 weeks and 4 days the co-twin died. A healthy boy was delivered by elective caesarean section at 36-weeks' gestation. Assisted reproductive techniques that breach the embryo's zona pellucida such as assisted hatching and PGS embryo biopsy increase the incidence of monozygotic twins. Due to high levels of mosaicism in human preimplantation embryos, PGS cannot ensure that embryos diagnosed as normal and selected for transfer do not contain abnormal cells. Hence, further reports of discordant monozygotic twins following PGS are expected, emphasizing the need for appropriate counseling of patients wishing to embark on an IVF/PGS treatment cycle.

Comparative study of perinatal outcome of dichorionic and trichorionic iatrogenic triplets

The purpose of this study was to compare the perinatal outcome of dichorionic and trichorionic triplets who were conceived by assisted reproductive techniques. In this retrospective study, the maternal, neonatal, and chorionicity data were collected from 106 sets of trichorionic triamniotic and 34 sets of dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancies who were conceived by assisted reproductive techniques between January 1986 and December 2000. Perinatal and neonatal data were evaluated in relation to chorionicity and intertriplet birth weight discordance. The dichorionic triamniotic triplets have an 8-fold higher risk of perinatal death than trichorionic triamniotic gestations (odds ratio, 7.9; 95% CI, 4.4-14.0; P < .001). This is attributed to a higher risk of very low birth weight (P < .01), delivery at < 30 weeks of gestation (P < .001), and premature rupture of membrane (P < .001) in dichorionic triamniotic triplets compared with trichorionic triamniotic pregnancies. Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (odds ratio, 11.5; 95% CI, 4.8-27.7; P < .001), delivery at < 30 weeks of gestation (odds ratio, 40.5; 95% CI, 16.9-97; P < .01), premature rupture of membrane (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% CI, 3.8-11.9; P < .01), and nulliparity (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6-6.1; P < .05) had independent effects on perinatal loss rate. The dichorionic triplets have an 8 times higher perinatal mortality rate than trichorionic triamniotic pregnancies.

Spontaneous dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy affected by TTTS: follow-up from diagnosis to three months of extrauterine life

Article Spontaneous dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy affected by TTTS: follow-up from diagnosis to three months of extrauterine life was published on December 1, 2006 in the journal Journal of Perinatal Medicine (volume 34, issue 6).