First-trimester risk assessment: twin gestations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of first-trimester screening in multiple gestations.


METHODS
A review of the literature revealed numerous studies in this area. However, most of the studies involved first-trimester singleton pregnancies.


RESULTS
The few studies that reviewed the experience with multiple gestations demonstrated feasibility of this technique. However, the detection rate for twin gestations was less than that of singleton gestations.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the data support the value of screening twins with biochemistry and ultrasound in the first trimester, further study is necessary to determine the most sensitive method.
Platt
Lawrence D
LD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Center for Fetal Medicine and Women's Ultrasound, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. LPlatt8496@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D048208:Nuchal Translucency Measurement / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A