Ultrasound predictors of mortality in monochorionic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound assessment to predict risk of mortality in expectantly managed monochorionic twin fetuses with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR).


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of 101 monochorionic twin pregnancies diagnosed with sIUGR before 26 weeks of gestation. All patients were under expectant management during the observation period. At the initial evaluation, the presence or absence of each of the following abnormalities was documented: oligohydramnios; stuck twin phenomenon; severe IUGR < 3(rd) centile of estimated fetal weight; abnormal Doppler in the umbilical artery; and polyhydramnios in the larger twin. The relationships between these ultrasound findings and mortality of sIUGR fetuses were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of 101 sIUGR twins, 22 (21.8%) fetuses suffered intrauterine demise and nine (8.9%) suffered neonatal death; 70 (69.3%) survived the neonatal period. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the stuck twin phenomenon (odds ratio (OR): 14.5; 95% CI: 2.2-93.2; P = 0.006) and constantly absent diastolic flow in the umbilical artery (OR: 29.4; 95% CI: 3.3-264.0; P = 0.003) were significant risk factors for mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Not only abnormal Doppler flow in the umbilical artery but also severe oligohydramnios should be recognized as important indicators for mortality in monochorionic twins with sIUGR.
Ishii
K
K
Division of Perinatology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan. keisui@mch.pref.osaka.jp
Murakoshi
T
T
Hayashi
S
S
Saito
M
M
Sago
H
H
Takahashi
Y
Y
Sumie
M
M
Nakata
M
M
Matsushita
M
M
Shinno
T
T
Naruse
H
H
Torii
Y
Y
D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*