Clinical outcome in neonates with twin anemia-polycythemia sequence

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jul;203(1):54.e1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.02.032. Epub 2010 Apr 24.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neonatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS).

Study design: A cohort of consecutive monochorionic twins with TAPS with double survivors was included in the study. Each twin pair with TAPS was compared with 2 monochorionic twin pairs who were unaffected by TAPS or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and who were matched for gestational age at birth. Neonatal death, severe morbidity, and cerebral injury were studied.

Results: We included 19 twin pairs in the TAPS group and 38 control twin pairs. The incidence of neonatal death and severe neonatal morbidity was similar in the TAPS group and control group (3% [1/38] vs 1% [1/76] and 24% [9/38] vs 28% [21/76], respectively). Severe cerebral injury was detected in 1 infant (5%) in the TAPS group and 1 infant (2%) in the control group.

Conclusion: Neonatal mortality and morbidity rates in a select population of TAPS neonates are similar to control neonatal rates.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / pathology*
  • Anemia / therapy
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Injuries / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / blood
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / pathology*
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / therapy
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Laser Coagulation
  • Polycythemia / blood
  • Polycythemia / pathology*
  • Polycythemia / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Reticulocyte Count
  • Twins, Monozygotic
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Hemoglobins