Fetal hemoglobin changes in the twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Jun;9(6):398-402. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1997.09060398.x.

Abstract

Fetal hemoglobin concentration was measured in each twin from five monochorionic pregnancies complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion, diagnosed by growth discordance and coexistent oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios. In three cases the hemoglobin concentration of the smaller twin with oligohydramnios was lower than the normal mean for gestation, and the hemoglobin difference was more than 5 g/dl in two of these cases. In the other two cases, the hemoglobin concentration of the four fetuses with coexistent oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios was within the normal range. This suggests that twin-to-twin transfusion may occur without hemoglobin changes, or that alternatively coexistent oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios occurs in the absence of twin-to-twin transfusion.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry*
  • Fetal Hemoglobin / analysis*
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / blood*
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / complications
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Oligohydramnios / blood*
  • Oligohydramnios / complications
  • Oligohydramnios / diagnostic imaging
  • Polyhydramnios / blood*
  • Polyhydramnios / complications
  • Polyhydramnios / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / blood*
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods

Substances

  • Fetal Hemoglobin