Second trimester amniocentesis in twin pregnancies: maternal haemoglobin as a dye marker to differentiate diamniotic twins.
OBJECTIVE
To review the use of a membrane-free haemolysate prepared from maternal blood to distinguish the amniotic sacs at amniocentesis in twin gestation.


METHODS
University Hospital, Groningen.


METHODS
Haemoglobin solution prepared from maternal blood.


METHODS
63 twin pregnancies having amniocentesis.


RESULTS
The fetal loss before 28 weeks was 4%. There was no perinatal mortality. Dye was detected in the second sac in 9 of 24 women tested before 1985 and none of the 39 women since, no malformations could be ascribed to the use of the haemolysate.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the membrane-free haemolysate is safe, but the technique will probably gradually become redundant because of improved ultrasound.
Beekhuis
J R
JR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
De Bruijn
H W
HW
Van Lith
J M
JM
Mantigh
A
A
D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000379:methods*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic
D004396:Coloring Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins