title: The study of fetal neurobehavior in twins in all three trimesters of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to assess the onset and the frequencies of the first intertwin contacts by four-dimensional ultrasound (4D US) in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. In the second part of the study, fetal behavior and Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test (KANET) score of twins compared to singletons in the 2nd and the 3rd trimesters was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transvaginal 4D assessment was performed in 20 women in the 1st trimester between 56 and 69 postmenstrual days (PMD), while trans-abdominal approach was performed from 70 PMD onwards and at weekly intervals until 112 PMD. Fetal behavior was assessed by 4D UD US between 28 and 36 gestational weeks in 49 twin pregnancies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first intertwin contacts appeared at 61 PMD, while complex body movements appeared at 68 PMD. The complexity of intertwin contacts increased from 84 PMD. With increasing gestational age, a higher frequency of movements was observed. The number of abnormal, borderline, and normal KANET scores between singletons and twins was not statistically significant. Scores for isolated eye blinking, mouthing, grimacing, hand to head movement, finger movements, Gestalt perception and general movements differed significantly in twins and singletons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two types of activities were observed: spontaneous and reactive. Although twins showed less activity and different behavioral pattern than singletons, a considerable proportion of overall motility was due to intertwin contacts.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School University of Zagreb, Clinical Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia. asim.kurjak@public.carnet.hr
authors: Asim
authors: A
authors: Kurjak
authors: Amira
authors: A
authors: Talic
authors: Milan
authors: M
authors: Stanojevic
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Honemeyer
authors: Bernat
authors: B
authors: Serra
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Prats
authors: Gian Carlo
authors: GC
authors: Di Renzo
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014427:Twins / Q000523:psychology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal