Management Of Twin Gestations Research Articles

Role of ultrasonography in the management of twin gestation.

Twins represent 1%-2% of all pregnancies, yet continue to account for a disproportionate share of neonatal adverse events including neonatal intensive care admission, morbidity, and mortality. Ultrasonography is central to the proper diagnosis of the type of twinning. Ideally, ultrasonography is performed before 14weeks of gestation to determine chorionicity and amnionicity. Correct identification of the chorionicity in a twin pregnancy facilitates proper counseling and management of the gestation, including ultrasonography follow-up. Herein, the different types of twinning are reviewed, together with the implications for ultrasonography monitoring of each specific type of twin gestation.

Selective reduction in complex monochorionic gestations.

The early determination of chorionicity in twin gestations is a critical factor in the management of twin gestations. While twins and higher order multiple gestations have increased risks of almost any complication of pregnancy, those pregnancies involving a monochorionic (MC) twin pair are at an especially high risk. The presence of vascular anastomoses within a MC placenta creates risk for discordant malformations, twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, or severe selective intrauterine growth restriction. While selective reduction of higher order multiple pregnancies is performed to reduce pregnancy-related risks and improve overall outcomes, selective reduction is also an important management strategy in situations where MC pregnancies develop complex complications. This procedure can be lifesaving for the cotwin by preventing intrauterine demise or extreme prematurity. There are several techniques that can be considered, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Vaginal breech delivery and perinatal mortality in twins

An objective analysis of our clinical experience with the intrapartum management of twin gestations was undertaken in order to determine whether or not routine caesarean section is justified when the first twin presents by the breech. The perinatal mortality rate for breech first twins delivered vaginally was not statistically different from vertex presentations. There was no perinatal loss among babies delivered vaginally by the breech. There was no difference in perinatal outcome for the breech first twin born abdominally or vaginally. Our findings have allayed the fear that non-vertex vaginal delivery of the first or second twin is dangerous. We conclude that in the absence of a uterine scar or a footling presentation, there is no valid reason to prohibit vaginal delivery when either twin presents by the breech.

SONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF TWINS: From First Trimester to Delivery of Second Fetus

Sonographic examination is essential in the diagnosis and management of twin gestation. It assists in determining the zygosity, assessing fetal anomalies, and is integral to amniocentesis if it is necessary, determining the growth and ruling out discordance, and in intrapartum management. The management of uncommon complications with twins also requires ultrasonic survey. Considering that the incidence of multiple gestation is increasing, it would be prudent to become familiar with the use and benefit of ultrasound with twins.

Ultrasonographic criteria for the prenatal diagnosis of placental chorionicity in twin gestations

Thirty-two patients with uncomplicated twin pregnancies had ultrasonographic examinations for genetic amniocentesis, confirmation of twinning, or assessment of fetal growth. The dividing membranes between the fetuses were visualized, and the thickness of the membranes was measured. With a thickness of 2 mm used as a cutoff point, the accuracy in predicting monochorionic or dichorionic twinning was 82% and 95%, respectively. Prenatal assessment of these dividing membranes may be helpful in the management of twin gestations.

The controversy of mode of delivery in twins: the intrapartum management of twin gestation (Part I).

The controversy of mode of delivery in twins: the intrapartum management of twin gestation (Part I).

The controversy of mode of delivery in twins: the intrapartum management of twin gestation (Part II).

The controversy of mode of delivery in twins: the intrapartum management of twin gestation (Part II).

Ultrasound in the antenatal management of twin gestation.

Ultrasound in the antenatal management of twin gestation.