Genetics and developmental pathology of twinning.
Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of congenital malformations. This review covers the risk of such anomalies in both dizygotic and monozygotic twin pregnancies, and discusses current insights into the associations relating to zygosity, chorionicity and genetic factors. The pathological basis of specific malformations unique to the monochorionic twinning process, including conjoined twinning and twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, is discussed in more detail, and factors contributing to the higher perinatal mortality rate in multiple pregnancies are addressed.
Weber
Martin A
MA
Department of Paediatric Pathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Sebire
Neil J
NJ
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic