Study Recommends Weekly Ultrasound Scans in Mo-Di Twin Pregnancies

A 2018 study explores monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies and ultrasound scans. The aim was to evaluate the incidence of unexpected critical complications according to the scan interval – either weekly or biweekly scans. The results were published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. The researchers included 385 monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies who had either weekly or biweekly ultrasound scans. Monochorionic-diamniotic twins are identical twins that share a placenta.

Stillbirth and fetal death

The researchers looked at the incidence of unexpected critical complications in both groups. They also looked at the incidence of predictable critical complications according to ultrasound interval. Of all cases, the total incidence of unexpected critical complications was 20 – that’s 5.2 percent. That included 14 cases of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and six cases of fetal death in the womb.

More complications in biweekly scan group

The total incidence of unexpected critical complications in the group of women who had weekly ultrasound scans was 3.9 percent. It was 9 percent in the group who had biweekly scans. The incidence of predictable critical complications was 6.7 percent in the weekly ultrasound scan group and 9 percent in the biweekly group.

Weekly ultrasound scans more effective

The study concluded that the incidence of unexpected critical complications was significantly lower in patients undergoing weekly ultrasound. The researchers suggest that weekly ultrasound scans for women carrying mo-di twins are more effective for early detection of stillbirth and Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.