Risk Of Intrauterine Fetal Demise Research Articles

Echogenic liquor at term pregnancy on ultrasonography is not always meconium

Introductions: The presence of echogenic amniotic fluid at term pregnancy on sonography is uncommon. Finding of meconium in the amniotic fluid by ultrasound is used to predict mode of delivery of fetus, fetal wellbeing and risk of intrauterine fetal demise. We aim to observe the clinical significance of echogenic liquor at term pregnancy. 
 Methods: This was a retrospective study of 102 cases of echogenic liquor at gestation age between 36 and 41 weeks (term pregnancy) during five years 2010 to 2015A.D. Amniotic fluid index (AFI) was calculated. Fluid was observed for presence of vernix caseosa or meconium stain during spontaneous and artificial rupture of membrane. The APGAR score of baby was taken twice at 5 and 10 minutes. 
 Results: Among the 102 patients with echogenic amniotic fluid at term, 83 (81.4%) were vernix and 19 (18.6%) had meconium stain. Low APGAR scores were found in 5 (0.9%) and normal score in 97 (95.1%) indicating good fetal outcome. Among these cases, 89 (87.3%) had normal AFI and 13 (12.7%) had decreased liquor. 
 Conclusions: There were no association between echogenic liquor and meconium stain, AFI or APGAR score of the baby in term pregnancy.

Clinical characteristics of acute fatty liver of pregnancy in a tertiary Indonesian hospital

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare, often autosomal recessive disorder with a major risk for maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. In order to achieve a more favorable outcome, awareness of its clinical signs and symptoms and early recognition are of pivotal importance. Over a 5-year period, 18 patients were diagnosed with AFLP (one twin, 19 babies). The most common sign and symptoms were jaundice, hypoglycemia, nausea and vomiting, encephalopathy, and hypertension. Abnormal laboratory test results included elevated total/conjugated (direct) bilirubin, AST, ALT, PT, APTT, creatinine, leukocyte count, and hypoalbuminemia. Maternal and fetal mortality rate was high: 66.7% resulted in a maternal death and 57.9% in an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). The number of complications was found to correlate with maternal death (p = .042). Surviving AFLP patients had ≤3 complications, while patients with >3 complications on presentation had a high risk of maternal death (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 0.55–45.4). The presence of hypertension significantly increased the risk of maternal death (OR: 24.5; 95% CI: 1.1–542.8; p = .01). The risk of IUFD was primarily related to gestational age at delivery and birth weight. The high rate of jaundice as presenting symptom of AFLP suggests that Indonesian primary maternity care providers may often miss its important earlier signs and symptoms, in particular de novo onset of nausea and vomiting in late pregnancy.

Optimal timing of delivery for women with breast cancer, according to cancer stage and hormone status: a decision-analytic model

Objective: To compare strategies for the timing of delivery in women with breast cancer and known cancer stage or hormone receptor subtype, and to determine the optimal gestational age for induction in regards to maternal-fetal outcomes. Study design: A decision-analytic model was designed comparing eight different strategies for scheduled delivery at 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 weeks gestation. Optimal breast cancer treatment was assumed to be delayed until after delivery. Baseline estimates of the stage- and subtype-specific mortality and the impact of delayed cancer treatment on 5-year survival rates were obtained from the literature. Outcomes factored into the model included the risk of intrauterine fetal demise, spontaneous delivery, respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral palsy, and neonatal demise at each gestational age. Univariate sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to test the robustness of our model. Results: For women with stage I–II breast cancer, delivery at 36 weeks yielded the highest number of overall quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), while maternal QALYs were maximized with delivery at 34 weeks. For stage III and IV disease, maternal QALYs were maximized at 31 and 30 weeks, respectively. For women with estrogen or progesterone receptor-positive, human epidermal receptor-2 negative breast cancer, both maternal QALYs and overall QALYs were maximized with delivery at 36 weeks. More aggressive biological phenotypes were similarly associated with optimal delivery at decreasing gestational age. Our model was heavily driven by the baseline probability of maternal death within 5 years, in addition to the expected progression of disease and decreases in survival rates with each week of non-treatment, and remained robust across reasonable ranges for all variables of interest. Conclusions: For women with breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy, decisions regarding timing of delivery should take into consideration both cancer stage and hormone receptor subtype.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus: does prenatal care affect outcomes?

Objective: To determine if prenatal care affects adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Study design: This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies in the state of California between 1997 and 2006, using vital statistics data linked to birth certificates. Women were stratified by time of presentation to care and we compared those who presented in the first trimester, third trimester, and those who had no prenatal care prior to delivery. Perinatal outcomes looked at included: preeclampsia, macrosomia, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). The two groups were compared with chi-squared testing to determine statistical significance.Results: In women with pregestational diabetes those who presented at time of delivery had an 11.3% risk of IUFD compared to 0.9% in those who presented in the first trimester. There was also an increased rate of preterm birth in the late presentation cohort (29.4% at time of delivery versus 21.0% in the first trimester). After adjusting for possible confounding variables using logistic regression models, rates of IUFD and preterm delivery were still found to be statistically significant with adjusted odds ratios of 11.37 (95% CI: 6.10–21.16) and 1.55 (95% CI: 1.03–2.32), respectively. There were no differences in rates of macrosomia or preeclampsia between the three cohorts.Conclusions: Treatment of T2DM throughout pregnancy leads to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Conditions Associated with Intrauterine Fetal Demise (IUFD) in Pregnant Women at King Abdulaziz University (KAUH). A Five-Year Experience

Background: Intrauterine fetal demise is the death of the fetus after twenty week of gestation but before the onset of labor. In more than 50% of cases, the etiology of antepartum fetal death is not known or cannot be determined. Several factors attributed to the risk of IUFD. This study aimed to determine the incidence of IUFD, as well as associated conditions. Method: This retrospective study enrolled all pregnant women who attending at KAUH between 2011 and 2015. Results: During the last five years 248 verified IUFD cases were reported, the mean age was 30.59. Saudi nationality represented by 27 %. PET was represented 17.7% and congenital malformation was represented by 7.3% as risk factors. Regarding the mode of delivery SVD was 58.9% followed by CS 28.6. Conclusion: Stillbirth is an unfavorable event, there are several factors (maternal, fetal & placenta) associated with IUFD. Providing good level of antenatal care helped in reducing IUFD incidence.

Does small for gestational age worsen outcomes in gestational diabetics?*

Objective: Our goal was to determine whether pregnancy outcomes are worse in gestational diabetics with small for gestational age (SGA) than those without. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 114 199 pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in California, 6446 of which were complicated by SGA. SGA was defined as birth weight < 10th percentile. Predictors included the presence or absence of SGA. Outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), neonatal demise (NND), intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), hypoglycemia and jaundice. The data were also stratified by gestational age looking at 32 + 0–36 + 6 weeks and 37 + 0–41 + 6 weeks. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: In the term 37 + 0 to 41 + 6 week GDM cohort the risk of RDS increased from 0.4% to 1.3%, the risk of neonatal demise from 0.02% to 0.09%, the risk of IUFD from 0.1% to 0.4%, the risk of hypoglycemia from 0.4% to 1.0% and the risk of jaundice from 18.0% to 23.3% (p < 0.001 for all). Similar relationships were seen in the 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 week group. The findings remained significant in multivariate analyses. Conclusions: The presence of SGA in a patient with gestational diabetes is associated with significantly increased risks of adverse outcomes compared to gestational diabetics without SGA including increased risks of RDS, neonatal demise, IUFD, hypoglycemia and jaundice.

Rates of intrauterine fetal demise and neonatal morbidity at term: determining optimal timing of delivery

Objective: To examine rates of unexplained intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and neonatal morbidity in uncomplicated term pregnancies to identify the optimal gestational age for delivery.Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed with singleton pregnancies delivered between 37 0/7 weeks and 42 6/7 weeks. Exclusion criteria were “complicated pregnancies”: emergency deliveries, maternal hypertension, diabetes, infection, fetal disease/malformations and placental abnormalities.Results: Nineteen thousand two hundred and sixty-four maternal/infant pairs were examined. The overall rate of NICU admission was 2.7% and the rate of unexplained IUFD was 2.02 per 1000 births. The lowest rate of IUFD was found at 39 weeks (1.40 per 1000 births). Odds ratios adjusted for maternal smoking, ethnicity, age and mode of delivery showed 2.74 (95% CI 0.35–21.83) risk of IUFD at 42 versus 39 weeks, 2.09 (1.47–2.98) risk of NICU admission at 37 versus 38 weeks, 2.54 (1.62–3.97) risk of respiratory morbidity at 37 versus 38 weeks and 3.38 (1.84–6.18) risk of transient tachypnea of the newborn or respiratory distress syndrome at 37 versus 38 weeks.Conclusions: Neonatal respiratory morbidity was lowest for deliveries at 38–39 weeks. IUFD was 2.74 times more likely at 42 weeks versus 39 weeks. Our findings support current guidelines advising clinicians when to deliver term pregnancies.

Velamentous cord insertion in dichorionic and monochorionic twin pregnancies – Does it make a difference?

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twins with and without twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and to study the associated outcomes. MethodsWe recorded the type of umbilical cord insertion in all consecutive DC and MC placentas examined in two European tertiary medical centers. The association between VCI and perinatal outcomes was estimated and compared. ResultsA total of 1498 twin placentas were included in this study (DC placentas n = 550, MC placentas without TTTS n = 513 and MC placentas with TTTS n = 435). The prevalence of VCI in DC, MC without TTTS and MC with TTTS groups was 7.6%, 34.7% and 36.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). In MC twins (non-TTTS and TTTS groups), VCI was associated with severe birth weight discordance (odds ratio [OR] 4.76 95% CI 2.43, 10.47 and OR 4.52 95% CI 1.30, 28.59, respectively). In MC twins without TTTS, VCI was associated with small for gestational age (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.12, 2.50). VCI was significantly associated with increased risk of intrauterine fetal demise in MC twins, and this effect was greater in the non-TTTS group (OR 2.71 95% CI 1.38, 5.47). These associations did not occur in DC group. Gestational age at birth was lower in the presence of VCI in the DC and MC twins without TTTS. ConclusionOur findings confirm that the prevalence of VCI is higher in MC twins than in DC twin pregnancies. VCI is an important indicator of adverse perinatal outcome, particularly in MC twins.

Down syndrome: perinatal mortality risks with each additional week of expectant management.

To evaluate the gestational age (GA) at which perinatal mortality risk is minimized for fetuses with Down syndrome (DS). Retrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies delivered between 24 and 41 weeks, using 2005-2006 United States linked birth and death certificate data. Among fetal DS cases, prospective risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and risk of infant death were calculated for each week, and composite risk of fetal/infant mortality with expectant management was compared to delivery. Of 3,113,098 pregnancies, 1766 had fetal DS (0.06%). IUFD occurred in 7.4% with DS, and infant death in 6.5%. Prospective risk of IUFD increased from 37 weeks onward to reach 50.7 per 1000 pregnancies (95% CI 33.2-68.3) at 42 weeks. Comparing mortality with expectant management to delivery, expectant management carried increasing risk from 38 (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.05-1.33) to 41 weeks (RR 1.84; 95% CI 1.66-2.05). Further, number needed to deliver to avoid one excess death decreased from 38 (109.17; 95% CI 64.52-344.83) to 41 weeks (24.08; 95% CI 20.59-29.04). Although further research is needed to clarify risk factors for fetal and neonatal death in cases of DS, risk of perinatal mortality appears to be minimized with delivery at 38 weeks.

Intrauterine fetal demise after prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease: assessment of risk

Elective deliveries in fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) attempt to balance fetal and neonatal risk with the goal of optimizing overall outcome. However, the magnitude of the risk for intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) is unclear. This study aimed to (1) determine the rate of IUFD and (2) identify fetal risk factors associated with IUFD. Retrospective review of pregnancies complicated by CHD between 1998 and 2010. Data were collected regarding pregnancy outcome, extracardiac anomalies (ECA), genetic and cardiac diagnoses, severity of valve regurgitation, gestational age at birth and birth weight. Fisher's exact test and odds ratios were used to compare outcomes between groups. A total of 501 pregnancies analyzed resulted in 445 live births, 22 IUFD, 16 terminations and 18 unknown outcomes. Amongst IUFD, 27% had a genetic diagnosis, 50% had an ECA and 27% had severe valve regurgitation. IUFD odds increased threefold with ECA and sevenfold with severe valve regurgitation. IUFD occurred in 1.2% without risk factors. IUFD in fetuses with CHD is associated with ECA, genetic syndromes and severe valve regurgitation. In absence of these fetal characteristics, the occurrence of IUFD is low, although it remains higher than in fetuses without CHD.

The risk of fetal death in nonanomalous pregnancies affected by polyhydramnios

The objective of the study was to evaluate the ongoing risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in nonanomalous pregnancies affected by polyhydramnios. We analyzed a retrospective cohort of all singleton, nonanomalous births in California between 2005 and 2008 as recorded in a statewide birth certificate registry. We included all births between 24+0 and 41+6 weeks' gestational age, excluding multiple gestations, major congenital anomalies, and pregnancies affected by oligohydramnios. Polyhydramnios was identified by International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, codes. χ(2) tests were used to compare the dichotomous outcomes, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were then performed to control for potential confounders. We analyzed the data for pregnancies affected and unaffected by polyhydramnios. The IUFD risk was expressed as a rate per 10,000. The risk of IUFD in pregnancies affected by polyhydramnios was greater at every gestational age compared with unaffected pregnancies. The IUFD risk in pregnancies affected by polyhydramnios was more than 7 times higher than unaffected pregnancies at 37 weeks at a rate of 18.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.0-32.6) vs 2.4 (95% CI, 2.0-2.5) and was 11-fold higher by 40 weeks' gestational age at a rate of 66.3 (95% CI, 10.8-68.6) vs 6.0 (95% CI, 5.1-6.3) in unaffected pregnancies. When adjusted for multiple confounding variables, the presence of polyhydramnios remained associated with an increased odds of IUFD in nonanomalous singleton pregnancies, with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.5 (95% CI, 4.1-7.6). Ongoing risk of IUFD is greater in low-risk pregnancies affected by polyhydramnios at all gestational ages compared with unaffected pregnancies with the greatest increase in risk at term. Although further study is needed to explore the underlying etiology of polyhydramnios in these cases, the identification of polyhydramnios alone may warrant increased antenatal surveillance.

Prospective risk of fetal death with gastroschisis

Objective: To evaluate the ongoing risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in fetuses with gastroschisis compared to non-anomalous fetuses.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all births in the United States in 2005–2006, as recorded in the National Center for Health Statistics natality database. Risk of IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was compared to non-anomalous fetuses, utilizing total at-risk fetuses as the denominator.Results: Risk of IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was 4.5%, compared to 0.6% in non-anomalous fetuses (p < 0.001). When controlling for gestational age and other confounders, the adjusted odds ratio for IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was 7.06 (95% CI: 3.33–14.96). After 32 weeks, risk of IUFD/ongoing pregnancy was greater at each week of gestation in fetuses with gastroschisis.Conclusions: Risk of IUFD for fetuses with gastroschisis is greater than in non-anomalous fetuses. This risk increases significantly after 32 weeks’ gestation. Demographic variables are associated with higher rates of gastroschisis and ultimately IUFD. These data may be useful in consideration of timing of delivery.

What is the optimal gestational age for women with gestational diabetes type A1 to deliver?

Type A1 gestational diabetes mellitus (A1GDM), also known as diet-controlled gestational diabetes, is associated with an increase in adverse perinatal outcomes such as macrosomia and Erb palsy. However, it remains unclear when to deliver these women because optimal timing of delivery requires balancing neonatal morbidities from early term delivery against the risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). We sought to determine the optimal gestational age (GA) for women with A1GDM to deliver. A decision-analytic model was built to compare the outcomes of delivery at 37-41 weeks in a theoretical cohort of 100,000 women with A1GDM. Strategies involving expectant management until a later GA accounted for probabilities of spontaneous delivery, indicated delivery, and IUFD during each week. GA-associated risks of neonatal complications included cerebral palsy, infant death, and Erb palsy. Probabilities were derived from the literature, and total quality-adjusted life years were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were used to investigate the robustness of the baseline assumptions. Our model showed that induction at 38 weeks maximized quality-adjusted life years. Within our cohort, delivery at 38 weeks would prevent 48 stillbirths but lead to 12 more infant deaths compared to 39 weeks. Sensitivity analysis revealed that 38 weeks remains the optimal timing of delivery until IUFD rates fall <0.3-fold of our baseline assumption, at which point expectant management until 39 weeks is optimal. By weighing the risks of IUFD against infant deaths and neonatal morbidities from early term delivery, we determined that the ideal GA for women with A1GDM to deliver is 38 weeks.

Induction of Labor for Term Small-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses

Induction of labor (IOL) when the fetus appears small for gestational age (SGA) toward term may improve perinatal outcomes and prevent fetal death. If these fetuses are small as a variant of the normal spectrum, early induction may not improve outcomes and may cause obstetric complications. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of early IOL on neonatal outcomes and rates of maternal obstetric interventions in SGA term infants. The cohort included all term singleton deliveries and their neonatal outcomes occurring in 2004 to 2008. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of term (37–42 weeks) growth-restricted singleton deliveries were analyzed. Small for gestational age was defined as birth weight lower than the 10th percentile adjusted for gestational age and sex. The exposed group, termed early-induction SGA group, included women giving birth after IOL for suspected intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of a singleton SGA neonate at 37 to 39 weeks. The unexposed group, or no-early-induction SGA group, included women giving birth at 40 weeks of gestation or later and those who gave birth spontaneously to term SGA neonates at 37 to 39 weeks. Maternal characteristics, pregnancy and neonatal complications, and obstetric interventions were compared to evaluate benefits/drawbacks of early term IOL for IUGR. Of 37,342 women who had a singleton neonate at 37 weeks of gestation or later, 2378 (6.36%) neonates were born SGA. The early-induction and no-early-induction SGA groups included 445 and 1933 neonates, respectively. Most obstetric complications were similar in the 2 groups. Women in the early-induction group had significantly more hypertensive complications and a higher rate of cesarean deliveries compared with the unexposed group, and only 65.5% reached noninstrumental vaginal delivery (P < 0.0001). Neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes and sex were similar between the 2 groups. Compared with the unexposed group, the early-induction group had higher rates of hyperbilirubinemia necessitating phototherapy (odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–2.53) and hypoglycemia (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.56–3.62). Two neonates in the early-induction group had respiratory complications. Necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, adverse neurologic outcomes, and need for resuscitation were rare and similar in both groups. No neonates died. The risk for any adverse neonatal outcome was ~2 times higher for the early-induction compared with the unexposed group (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.46–2.61; P < 0.0001). The most significant danger in abstaining from IOL for IUGR at term is intrauterine fetal death. Of 37,342 singleton deliveries, 33 fetal deaths occurred at 37 to 42 weeks, 0.88 cases per 1000 live births at term; only 1 was an SGA fetus at 37 weeks. The risk for intrauterine fetal demise at term for non–early-induction SGA was 0.52 cases per 1000 live births, similar to that of the general term population (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.08–3.85; P = 0.99). For suspected IUGR at term, awaiting spontaneous labor risks fetal decompensation, yet active IOL might increase rates of obstetric interventions and neonatal complications of early term delivery. This study found no apparent neonatal benefit for early term IOL for SGA neonates.

Serum bile acids in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Not just a diagnostic test

Serum bile acids in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Not just a diagnostic test

105: Fetal growth restriction: risk factors for unplanned primary cesarean delivery

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased risk of intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal morbidity, and death. Late term delivery is optimal for isolated FGR without risk factors of oligohydraminos or abnormal umbilical artery Dopplers. FGR is not an indication for cesarean delivery (CD) unless there is a non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing (NRFHT). We sought to identify risk factors to predict primary CD for NRFHT in cases of FGR before or during labor.

83: Perinatal management of monoamniotic twins: impact on outcomes

To determine the optimal antenatal surveillance strategy and timing of delivery for monoamniotic twin pregnancies. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were retrospectively retrieved for 115 monoamniotic twin pregnancies managed in 5 referral units in the last decade. Women were either offered the option of intensive fetal surveillance as inpatients starting prior to 29 weeks gestation, or outpatient follow-up. Caesarean section was performed between 32-34 weeks in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies. Fetal anomalies were present in 12.2% (n=28). Four selective reductions were performed. There were 41 spontaneous fetal demises (17.8%). Six pregnancies were terminated. Neonatal survival was 71% (n=163/230). The prospective risk of intra-uterine fetal death reached a nadir at 2.4% at 28 weeks gestation. The prospective risk of a severe neonatal complication (defined as a composite outcome of death, intraventricular hemorrhage>grI, periventricular leucomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis) was lower than the prospective risk of intra-uterine fetal demise after 32+4 weeks gestation. Of 84 pregnancies with 2 fetuses alive at 28 weeks gestation, 67 were uncomplicated. 37 were admitted for fetal surveillance and 30 were managed as outpatients. Delivery for fetal distress was similar in electively admitted inpatients and in outpatients (30 vs. 27%;p=1.0), yet gestational age at delivery was 8 days later in outpatients (32.1±1.4 vs 33.2±1.8wks). In each group, 1 double intra-uterine fetal death occurred after 33 weeks. Postnatal ventilation was shorter in fetuses managed as outpatients (2 days vs 4 days in inpatients), but the risk of neonatal death (n=1 in each group) or other neonatal complications was similar. Optimal timing of delivery of uncomplicated monoamniotic twin pregnancies is 32+4 weeks gestation. Outcomes appear similar in pregnancies managed in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Data are being collected in 3 other centers and will be presented at the meeting.

Perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction

To evaluate the perinatal outcome of three types of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). From January 2005 to June 2012, clinical data of 42 pairs of MCDA twins (84 fetuses) with sIUGR and 71 pairs of normal MCDA twins (142 fetuses) in the same period were analyzed retrospectively in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. Fetuses with sIUGR were classified into three groups based on umbilical artery Doppler flow.There were 25 cases of type I, 11 cases of type II and 6 cases of type III. The perinatal outcome was compared between sIUGR and normal MCDA twins, and among the three types of sIUGR as well. Perinatal outcomes included gestational age at delivery, rate of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), birth weight, intertwin discordance of birth weight, neonatal death and survival rate at 6 months. (1) The gestational age of sIUGR at delivery was significantly earlier than the control group [(34±3), (36±2) weeks, respectively], and the rate of IUFD of both fetuses of sIUGR was significantly higher (4.8%, 0, respectively). In the sIUGR group, the average birth weight of large or small twins [(2130±350), (1520±400) g, respectively] was smaller than those in the control group [(2470±500), (2340±460) g, respectively]. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The intertwin discordance of birth weight in sIUGR group was significantly larger (27.6%) than the control group (4.0%, P<0.01). (2) The gestational age at delivery in type II and type III [(34±5), (34±2) weeks, respectively] was significantly earlier than the control group (P<0.05). The rate of IUFD of both fetuses in type II (18%) was significantly higher than in type I (0) and the control group (0, P<0.05). In sIUGR group, the average birth weight of small twins in type I, type II and type III was (1640±430), (1330±310) and (1500±380) g respectively, all of which were significantly smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05). The average birth weight of small twins in type II was smaller than in type I and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In sIUGR group, the intertwin discordance of birth weight in type I, type II and type III was 24.1%, 34.6%, 31.3% respectively, all of which were significantly larger than that in the control group (4.0%, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences of the intertwin discordance of birth weight among the three types of sIUGR (P>0.05). Survival rate at 6 months in type II (64%) was significantly lower than in type I (92%) and the control group (91.5%, P<0.01). The perinatal outcome of MCDA twins with sIUGR is poor. The outcome is different among the three types of sIUGR, and typeIIis the worst. Type II is associated with a high risk of intrauterine fetal demise. It is important to monitor the intrauterine situation closely.

Timing of planned delivery in uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies: a review of the literature

Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins comprise of 20–30% of twin pregnancies; roughly 50% will be undelivered and ‘uncomplicated’ beyond 32 weeks gestation. This review details accumulating data regarding the risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in ‘uncomplicated’ MCDA twins and risks associated with prematurity. ‘Uncomplicated’ MCDA twins are at increased risk for IUFD, even when under intensified surveillance in tertiary care centers. The prospective risk of IUFD in uncomplicated MCDA varies among different studies, with reported rates of up to 3.3% at 34 weeks and 2.2% at 36 weeks. If single IUFD occurs, it exposes the surviving co-twin to potential significant morbidity and mortality. It had been suggested that elective preterm delivery would eliminate this risk, but recent evidence of prematurity morbidity are accumulating. With more intensified monitoring from 32 weeks, it is possible that the rate of IUFD is lower than anticipated. We reviewed the data regarding these risks and their contribution to the decision-making process.

Impact of chorionicity on risk and timing of intrauterine fetal demise in twin pregnancies

We sought to estimate the association between chorionicity and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of one or both fetuses in twin pregnancies. In a retrospective cohort of twins undergoing anatomic survey, risk of IUFD in monochorionic and dichorionic twins was compared. The primary outcome was IUFD of one or both fetuses; secondary outcomes included nonanomalous fetal deaths. Of 2161 twin pregnancies meeting inclusion criteria, 86 had at least 1 IUFD and 32 experienced a double fetal loss. Monochorionic pregnancies had an increased risk of a single demise (adjusted odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.75) and a double demise (adjusted odds ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-4.37). Of all double demises, 70% occurred <24 weeks. Monochorionic twins carry an increased risk of fetal death compared to dichorionic twins. Double demise occurs primarily <24 weeks, regardless of chorionicity.