Investigation of the factors affecting the perinatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twins.

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors affecting the perinatal outcome in monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of MD twins treated in our hospital between April 1, 2006 and February 28, 2010. The neonatal outcomes of MD twins conceived by assisted reproductive technology or ovulation induction were compared to the outcomes of those conceived naturally.

RESULTS

In MD twins with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) resulted in the survival of at least one twin. In naturally conceived MD twins with two live births, we found that there was a higher discordance rate and the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was higher in twins born to nulliparous women than multiparous women.

CONCLUSIONS

Further FLP treatment can be performed on twins with TTTS so that prognosis may be improved. Since the risk of discordant growth is significantly greater in twins of nulliparous women, they should be monitored more carefully than multiparous women.