title: Erythroblastosis of the Donor Twin of Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence.
abstract: Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a group of disorders in monochorionic twins characterized by a large intertwin hemoglobin difference without amniotic fluid discordance. Reticulocyte count is used to diagnose this condition, but little is known about the role of erythroblasts, which are the prior stage of reticulocytes. In the present case of TAPS, the 25-yr-old Japanese mother showed no signs of oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios throughout gestation. The twins were born at 36 weeks and 6 days, weighing 2,648g and 1,994g. The intertwin hemoglobin difference in umbilical cord blood was (21.1－5.0＝) 16.1g/dL and the donor twin showed signs of chronic anemia, including myocardial hypertrophy and pericardial effusion. Erythroblastosis of the donor twin was prolonged (53,088.5, 42,114.8 and 44,217.9/μL on days 0, 1 and 2, respectively). Erythroblastosis, which indicates chronic anemia, is also a good diagnostic indicator of TAPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Health Sciences Center, Kochi 781-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Miharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oura
authors.forename: Akane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Yusei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004899:Erythroblastosis, Fetal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000473:pathology*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic