Expectant management in type II selective intrauterine growth restriction and abnormal chord insertion in monochorionic twins

Objective: To describe perinatal outcomes achieved with cord occlusion (CO) in monochorionic twins with severe selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler in the IUGR twin (types II and III). Methods: We studied a consecutive series of 90 cases of sIUGR with abnormal Doppler treated with CO of the IUGR fetus. Abnormal Doppler was defined as continuous (type II, n = 41) or intermittent (type III, n = 49) absent/reversed end-diastolic flow. All cases presented at least one of the following severity criteria: gestational age (GA) <22 weeks, inter-twin estimated weight discordance >35%, reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery flow or ductus venosus pulsatility index >95th centile. We prospectively recorded pregnancy course and perinatal outcome. Results: Median GA at surgery was 20.6 weeks and mean duration 22.4 min. Miscarriage (<24 weeks) occurred in 3.3% (3/90) and preterm delivery <32 weeks in 7.1% (6/84) of continuing pregnancies. GA at delivery was 36.4 weeks and neonatal survival of the larger twin was achieved in 93.3%. Conclusion: In a consecutive series studied by an experienced team, CO in monochorionic twins with severe sIUGR type II or III was associated with delivery >32 weeks in 92.9% and neonatal survival of the normal twin in 93.3% of pregnancies.

Download Full-text

Expectant Management of Monochorionic-Triamniotic Triplets Complicated by Selective In Utero Growth Restriction: Report of 2 Cases

Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1155/2020/2979261 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Laurence Carmant ◽

Sandrine Wavrant ◽

Elisabeth Codsi

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Expectant Management ◽

In Utero ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Type Ii ◽

Optimal Management ◽

Management Option ◽

Triplet Pregnancy ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

First Case

The optimal management of monochorionic-triamniotic (MCTA) triplet pregnancies is not clearly established, and there is no literature to guide management of MCTA complicated with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). This gap in knowledge and the concern for higher risk of severe complications have led some medical societies to recommend selective termination of nontrichorionic triplet pregnancies. We sought to report the favourable outcomes of two MCTA complicated by sIUGR expectantly managed at Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada. The first case is of a 42-year-old woman with spontaneous MCTA triplets diagnosed at 18 weeks with type II sIUGR who opted for expectant management. The second patient was a 22-year-old woman with a spontaneous MCTA triplet pregnancy diagnosed at 18 weeks with type III sIUGR. Our experience shows that close serial ultrasounds could potentially allow physicians to foresee fetal deterioration. In our opinion, expectant management should be considered as a management option for MCTA complicated by sIUGR.

Download Full-text