Cyclic changes in the umbilical arterial flow in mono-chorionic, di-amniotic twin pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of arterio-arterial anastomosis on the umbilical arterial flow in mono-chorionic, di-amniotic twin pregnancy.


METHODS
Thirty-three women with mono-chorionic, di-amniotic twin pregnancy.


METHODS
Pulsed Doppler ultrasonographic examination was performed every 4 weeks to obtain umbilical arterial flow velocity waveforms in both two fetuses.


RESULTS
In five of the women, cyclic flow changes in the umbilical arterial flow were detected in the smaller fetus. All of these twins had arterio-arterial anastomosis on the surface of the placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
The fetuses in mono-chorionic and di-amniotic twin gestation who showed cyclic changes in umbilical arterial flow had arterio-arterial anastomosis. But, this characteristic flow was not observed every time.
Nakai
Yuichiro
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Osaka City University, 1-4-3 Asaci-Machi, Abeno, 545-8585, Osaka, Japan.
Ishiko
Osamu
O
Nishio
Junko
J
Suzuki
Shin ichiro
Si
Mine
Makiko
M
Imanaka
Motoharu
M
Ogita
Sachio
S
D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002823:Chorion / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D021041:Placental Circulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*