title: Rapid Resolution of Polyhydramnios Foretells Circulatory Collapse for the Donor Twin in Feto-Fetal Transfusion Syndrome.
abstract: Feto-fetal transfusion syndrome is a pathological process unique to diamniotic monochorionic pregnancies. It is the consequence of an unbalanced fetal blood flow through communicating vessels within a shared placenta. When it occurs, a polyuric, hypervolemic recipient twin co-exists with a hypovolemic oliguric donor. The presence of polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios is considered a poor prognostic indicator, whereas normal amniotic fluid volumes indicate a lack of clinically significant twintwin transfusion. In addition, the spontaneous normalization of amniotic fluid volume is usually seen as a favorable prognostic sign. Here, however, we present a case of feto-fetal transfusion in a 31 year-old primigravida at 19 week, in which the spontaneous normalization of amniotic fluid volume in the recipient twin preceded the death of the donor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López-Cepero
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de la Vega
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology*; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D011379:Prognosis; D012769:Shock / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Feto-fetal transfusion syndrome; Monochorionic twins; Oligohydramnios; Polyhydramnios