Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

Diagnosis and management of heterokaryotypic monochorionic twins.

Lewi L, Blickstein I, Van Schoubroeck D, Gloning KP, Casteels M, Brandenburg H, Fryns JP, Deprest J

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.

The diagnosis, management, and outcome of six consecutive heterokaryotypic monochorionic twins were evaluated. All suspected cases, based on discordant ultrasound findings, underwent amniocentesis of both sacs. Two cases also had chorionic villous sampling (CVS). Dual amniocentesis was superior to CVS in diagnosing heterokaryotypic monochorionic twins. In four cases, the X-chromosome was involved and autosomal aneuploidy was noted in the others. In five cases, the anomalous twin was selectively reduced by cord coagulation. All pregnancies ended with a phenotypically normal liveborn and all children are developing normally at 1-7 years of age. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Published 26 January 2006 in Am J Med Genet A, 140(3): 272-5.
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