New research points out to the fact that uncomplicated twin pregnancies may be more risky to the fetus than thought before.
Researchers of Imperial College London report that normal monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies have an increased risk from intrauterine deaths. In monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy, the twin fetuses share the same placenta but two different amniotic sacs and often are the most common form of twin pregnancies that are seen. About two thirds of the monozygotic twin pregnancies belong to this group and are often carried to full term without any pregnancy complications.Researchers, who had looked into 151 uncomplicated cases of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies, report that in 7 of the cases intrauterine deaths happened unexpectedly. The deaths happened at an average gestational time of 34 weeks.
Researchers for the study recommend that for such types of pregnancies, expectant mothers should opt for elective pre-term delivery after 32 weeks. This may lower the mortality risk associated with the fetuses before delivery. However researchers feel that more study is essential to find out more about the factors that increase the death rate of the fetus in cases of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.
Reference: Public Library of Science, June 2005
