Published online December 15, 2005
PEDIATRICS Vol. 117 No. 1 January 2006, pp. e113-e117 (doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1501)
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Right arrow Premature & Newborn

Increased Prevalence of Fetal Thrombi in Monochorionic-Twin Placentas

Yuichiro Sato, MD and Kurt Benirschke, MD

Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California

OBJECTIVE. Fetal vessel thrombosis has been related to pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies, but the clinical and pathologic characteristics of fetal thrombosis in twin pregnancy are still ill defined.

METHODS. To clarify the characteristics of fetal thrombosis in twins, we reviewed the histology slides and medical records of live-born infants of twin pregnancies involving the live birth of at least 1 fetus (monochorionic: 389 cases; dichorionic: 780 cases) and singleton pregnancies (1162 cases).

RESULTS. The incidence of fetal thrombosis in monochorionic-twin pregnancies was significantly higher than that of dichorionic-twin and singleton pregnancies (5.1% vs 3.0% and 2.8%, respectively). The incidence of velamentous umbilical cord insertion in monochorionic- and dichorionic-twin placentas was also higher than in singleton placentas (12% and 7% vs 2%, respectively). Fetal thrombosis in twin placentas was associated with intrauterine growth restriction. In monochorionic twins, fetal thrombosis was associated with co-twin fetal death, but in dichorionic twins no correlation was identified. Microscopically, fetal vessel thrombosis in twin placentas was associated with vascular cushions (fibrous hyperplasia of fetal vessel), as is the case occasionally in singletons.

CONCLUSIONS. The incidence of fetal vessel thrombosis in monochorionic placentas was higher than that seen in dichorionic-twin placentas and singleton gestations. Fetal vessel thrombosis in twin pregnancies showed a correlation with intrauterine growth restriction, peripheral cord insertions, and major vascular cushions.

Key Words: placenta • thrombosis • twins

Abbreviations: SGA—small for gestational age • PIH—pregnancy-induced hypertension • DM—diabetes mellitus

Accepted Jul 21, 2005.