Monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies are at increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality due to the shared placenta with vascular connections that can give rise to various complications,... Show moreMonochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies are at increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality due to the shared placenta with vascular connections that can give rise to various complications, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome, twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS), selective fetal growth restriction, and other hematological imbalances at birth. Each complication presents its own challenges and considerations in the neonatal period. Measurement of hemoglobin levels and reticulocyte count is required to establish a correct diagnosis. Placenta dye injection is needed to properly distinguish between the various conditions. Risk factors for adverse outcome in MC twins include prematurity, severe cerebral injury, and the type of MC pregnancy complication. We, therefore, recommend cerebral ultrasound examinations in all complicated MC twins at birth to rule out a severe brain injury. Lastly, we strongly encourage screening for hearing loss using automated auditory brainstem response in all spontaneous TAPS donors to prevent permanent speech development delay. Show less
With the studies described in this thesis, we were able to investigate cardiovascular compromise in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy in great detail.All clinicians caring for monochorionic... Show moreWith the studies described in this thesis, we were able to investigate cardiovascular compromise in complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy in great detail.All clinicians caring for monochorionic twins should perform an echocardiogram at mid‑gestation and should carefully examine both neonates at birth. In case of abnormal perioperative fetal Dopplers in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), we should be aware of the increased risk of fetal demise or neurodevelopmental impairment. In all surviving TTTS twins, but also in twin pregnancies with selective fetal growth restriction, cardiac abnormalities should be ruled out by follow-up fetal and neonatal echocardiography. Routine long‑term follow-up should be available to all TTTS twins, since TTTS may also have an impact beyond the perinatal phase.Furthermore, both color‑coded Tissue Doppler Imaging (cTDI) and myocardial performance index (MPI) are potentially valuable techniques which can be used in the risk stratification in monochorionic twins. Show less
This thesis deals with various aspects of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS). TAPS is a condition that can develop due to unbalanced feto-fetal blood transfusion through minuscule vascular... Show moreThis thesis deals with various aspects of twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS). TAPS is a condition that can develop due to unbalanced feto-fetal blood transfusion through minuscule vascular placental anastomoses in monochorionic twin pregnancies, causing the donor twin to become anemic and the recipient twin to become polycythemic. In this thesis we show that a difference in middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) > 0.5 Multiples of the Median (MoM) has a high diagnostic accuracy for the the antenatal diagnosis of TAPS. For postnatal diagnosis of the condition, inspection of the color of the maternal side of the placenta can be of great value. Furthermore, we present the results of a large international registry, and report on outcomes after different treatment options for TAPS. As the best treatment for TAPS is unclear, we propose the protocol of The TAPS Trial (a multicenter open-label international RCT) to investigate the potential beneficial effect of fetoscopic laser surgery for the outcome in TAPS twins . In the last chapters of this thesis we discuss short- and long-term outcome and show that TAPS donors show significantly higher rates of perinatal mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment than their recipient co-twins. Show less
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in leukocyte counts at birth between donors and recipients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) or twin anemia-polycythemia... Show moreObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in leukocyte counts at birth between donors and recipients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) or twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in monochorionic twin pairs with TTTS or TAPS. TTTS and TAPS cases treated with fetoscopic laser surgery were excluded. Primary outcome was the difference in leukocyte levels at birth between donor and recipient twins and the presence of leukopenia (defined as leukocyte count <4 x 10(9)/L). Secondary outcomes included early-onset sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, use of antibiotics during admission, and neonatal mortality. Results: We included 99 twins pairs, of which 61 twin pairs were affected by TAPS and 38 twin pairs by TTTS. The mean leukocyte count at birth in donors and recipients was 7.5 x 10(9)/L versus 7.4 x 10(9)/L (p = 0.936), respectively. Leukopenia was significantly more common in donor twins compared to recipient twins (7.1% [7/99] vs. 0% [0/99], p = 0.016). Of the 7 donors with leukopenia, 6 were affected by TAPS and 1 by TTTS. Overall, donors were more often affected by early-onset sepsis than recipients, 23.7% (23/97) versus 13% (13.7/95) (p = 0.049), respectively. Conclusions: Leukocyte counts at birth in twins with TTTS or TAPS are similar between donors and recipients, but TAPS donors are at an increased risk of leukopenia. Overall, TTTS and TAPS donors seem to be at an increased risk of early-onset neonatal sepsis compared to recipient twins. Show less
This thesis consists of a series of studies on technical and procedural aspects of laser surgery for the treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a causal treatment modality first... Show moreThis thesis consists of a series of studies on technical and procedural aspects of laser surgery for the treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a causal treatment modality first described by De Lia et al. in 1990. TTTS is caused by unbalanced blood flow across placental vascular communications between both twins called anastomoses. The aim of the treatment is to close of all anastomoses in order to separate both fetal circulations. In part one, we give a general introduction to the subject and its challenges. Part two consists of studies evaluating current practice with the aim to identify potential areas of improvement. Part three deals with several techniques, the impact of laser energy and placental damage and, it introduces a model to investigate different technical parameters of the laser procedure. Finally, in part four, we discuss the development of a standardized training model for fetoscopic laser surgery. Show less
Monochorionic twins are at increased risk of complications compared to dichorionic twins due to differences in placentas. Nearly all monochorionic twins have placental anastomoses connecting... Show moreMonochorionic twins are at increased risk of complications compared to dichorionic twins due to differences in placentas. Nearly all monochorionic twins have placental anastomoses connecting the blood circulation of both twins, whereas dichorionic twins have always two separate placentas without vascular connections. Vascular anastomoses lead to inter-twin blood transfusion, which is ‘balanced’ in uncomplicated monochorionic twins. In twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) inter-twin blood transfusion is unbalanced, resulting in high mortality rates if left untreated. However, improved antenatal management has led to an increase in perinatal survival. Attention is now shifting towards postnatal complications in survivors. In this thesis hematological and biochemical complications in twins affected by TTTS or TAPS are evaluated, including albumin levels and short-term postnatal renal function and hemoglobin levels in uncomplicated monochorionic twins and dichorionic twins. Show less
Costa-Castro, T.; Zhao, D.P.; Lipa, M.; Haak, M.C.; Oepkes, D.; Severo, M.; ... ; Lopriore, E. 2016
An increasing number of fetal diseases are being detected prior to birth due to major improvements in prenatal ultrasound examinations and the wide implementation of screening programs. For various... Show moreAn increasing number of fetal diseases are being detected prior to birth due to major improvements in prenatal ultrasound examinations and the wide implementation of screening programs. For various diseases, fetal therapy may be a life-saving option or an alternative to postnatal treatment, to prevent permanent organ damage. A major breakthrough in fetal therapy was the introduction of intrauterine blood transfusion for severe fetal anemia in the early 1960s. Since then, fetal therapy has gradually evolved resulting in a dramatic increase in overall survival in several fetal diseases. In the Netherlands, fetal surgical interventions are concentrated in one center, the LUMC, a tertiary medical center which serves as the national referral center for fetal therapy. Although an increasing number of children are being born alive after fetal therapy, reliable data on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome remain scarce. Follow-up studies are of paramount importance to increase our knowledge on the quality of long-term survival and to identify potential risk factors for adverse outcome. In this thesis, studies on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome after fetal therapy for various fetal diseases are presented including intrauterine transfusion for fetal anemia, fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome and selective reduction in complicated monochorionic pregnancies. Show less
Fetoscopic surgery is a surgical technique that is used to treat fetus(es) that are still inside the pregnant uterus. Coming years, more fetoscopic surgery will be performed. The most commonly... Show moreFetoscopic surgery is a surgical technique that is used to treat fetus(es) that are still inside the pregnant uterus. Coming years, more fetoscopic surgery will be performed. The most commonly performed procedure is laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. This thesis shows learning curves for this procedure and current practice in relation to technical aspects and pregnancy outcomes. We show how to monitor performance and address specific subgroups in which laser surgery can be more complicated. Since teaching and training in fetoscopic surgery is challenging, we create and validate an evidence-based evaluation tool for the laser procedure. To conclude, we develop a standardized training curriculum with a high fidelity simulator model. Show less
