Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2006):

High perinatal survival in monoamniotic twins managed by prophylactic sulindac, intensive ultrasound surveillance, and Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Increased perinatal mortality in monoamniotic twin pregnancies is attributed to cord accidents in utero and at delivery. We evaluated the following parameters in monoamniotic pregnancies: (1) the incidence of cord entanglement; (2) the effect of sulindac on amniotic fluid volume and stability of fetal lie; and (3) the perinatal outcome with our current management paradigm. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of monoamniotic pregnancies of >or=20 weeks' gestation managed with serial ultrasound surveillance, medical amnioreduction and elective Cesarean delivery at 32 weeks' gestation. Mean amniotic fluid index (AFI) and change in AFI in monoamniotic pregnancies managed with oral sulindac was compared with 40 gestation-matched monochorionic-diamniotic controls. RESULTS: Among 44 monoamniotic pregnancies, 20 with two live structurally normal twins at 20 weeks' gestation satisfied the inclusion criteria. All fetuses survived to 28 days postnatally despite early prenatal cord entanglement in all but one case. Whereas AFI remained stable throughout gestation in the controls, the AFI fell in those patients on sulindac from a mean value of 21.0 cm (95% CI, 18.5-23.6 cm) at 20 weeks to a mean of 12.4 cm (95% CI, 10.1-14.6 cm) at 32 weeks (ANOVA P across gestation = 0.001) but mainly remained within normal limits. Fetal lie was stabilized in 11/20 cases in the monoamniotic group compared with 13/40 in the control group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cord entanglement appears unpreventable, as it typically occurs in early pregnancy. Sulindac therapy reduces AFI, leads to more stable fetal lie, and may prevent intrauterine death by diminishing the risk of constricting cords that are already entangled. Perinatal survival in monoamniotic pregnancies managed by a regime of sulindac from 20 weeks' gestation, close ultrasound surveillance and elective abdominal delivery at 32 weeks' gestation seems empirically higher than that in the literature. Copyright 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Author information

Author/s: Pasquini, L (L); Wimalasundera, R C (RC); Fichera, A (A); Barigye, O (O); Chappell, L (L); Fisk, N M (NM);

Affiliation: Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK. l.pasquini(-atsign-)imperial.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Oct; vol 28 (issue 5) : pp 681-7

Dates: Created 2006/10/02; Completed 2007/08/08;

PMID: 17001748, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Amniocentesis Amnion Cesarean Section Female Fetal Death - prevention & control Gestational Age Humans Infant, Newborn

Pregnancy Pregnancy Outcome Pregnancy, Multiple Prenatal Care - methods Retrospective Studies Sulindac - therapeutic use Twins, Monozygotic Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Sulindac (38194-50-2)

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