Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome with hydrops: a retrospective analysis of ten cases

Abstract

We retrospectively studied 10 cases of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with fetal hydrops. TTTS was diagnosed sonographically between the 17-31 weeks of gestation. All twins were delivered by emergency cesarean section because of cardiac decompensation of one or both fetuses. The mean (+/-SD) age at diagnosis was 26.1 +/- 4.5 and the mean age at delivery was 28.8 +/- 2.0 weeks. Gestational age at birth was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors. However, surviving infants were diagnosed later in gestation (23.6 +/- 4.8 vs. 28.7 +/- 1.9 weeks; p < 0.01); and gestational age at appearance of hydrops were later in survivors (26.1 +/- 3.2 vs. 29.2 +/- 2.4 weeks; p < 0.05). Overall survival rate was 50% (10 of 20 infants). All survivors were delivered within 3 days after the appearance of fetal hydropic changes. Extrauterine treatment in earlier stages of TTTS might improve the outcome. Nevertheless, more aggressive intrauterine treatment should be considered in the most severe cases of TTTS developing before 24-25 weeks' gestation.