Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2013 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Early Prediction of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with the use of First Trimester Ultrasound Markers: Is it Possible?

Panagiotis Antsaklis, Aristides Antsaklis, Vasileios Pergialiotis, Vasileios Papazefkos

Keywords : Twin-twin transfusion,Ductus venosus,Crown-rump length discrepancy,Nuchal translucency discrepancy

Citation Information : Antsaklis P, Antsaklis A, Pergialiotis V, Papazefkos V. Early Prediction of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with the use of First Trimester Ultrasound Markers: Is it Possible?. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013; 7 (1):66-72.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1271

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-09-2013

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2013; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background

The incidence of multifetal gestation and particularly of twin pregnancy has raised as a result of the introduction of assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Twinto- twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a serious complication observed in monochorionic pregnancies producing severe morbidity and ultimately resulting in loss of one or all fetuses. We assessed the potential of early prediction of TTTS among three markers screened early in pregnancy [nuchal translucency (NT)] and its discrepancy and discordance, crown-rump length (CRL) and its discrepancy and discordance among twins and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler abnormalities.

Materials and methods

We conducted a systematic review searching Medline (1966-2011) and Scopus (2004-2011) engines, as well as reference lists from all included studies. Twelve studies were finally enrolled in the present review, including seven prospective studies, three prospective studies and one that could not be defined either as prospective or retrospective.

Conclusion

It seems that DV Doppler may denote this syndrome's possible future development and should be assessed early in monochorionic pregnancies. Further studies are definitely needed in order to evaluate the place of CRL and NT discrepancy and discordance in predicting TTTS.

How to cite this article

Antsaklis A, Pergialiotis V, Theodora M, Papazefkos V, Antsaklis P. Early Prediction of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome with the use of First Trimester Ultrasound Markers: Is it Possible? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2013;7(1):66-72.


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