Selective termination in dichorionic twins discordant for congenital defect.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the perinatal outcome of selective termination in dichorionic twins discordant for congenital defect, performed at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-eight dichorionic twins with an anomalous fetus were included from May 2008 to February 2011. Intracardiac KCl (1-2 ml; 15 mEq/ml) under ultrasonographic guidance was used in all procedures. Congenital defect, gestational age at the procedure, incidence and perinatal outcome were retrieved.

RESULTS

Selective termination was performed in 14 (50%) cases of structural defects with normal karyotype and in 14 (50%) cases of chromosomal abnormality, 13 of them (92.8%) trisomy 21. Median gestational age at the procedure was 17.8 weeks (range 14.5-24; SD 2.3), and 12 (42.8%) were performed before 18 weeks. The presenting fetus was terminated in 11 cases (39.3%). Selective termination was followed by the subsequent delivery of a viable infant in 27 out of 28 cases (96.4%). Fetal loss before 24 weeks occurred in 1 case (3.6%). Median gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks (range 24.1-40.1; SD 3.8). Twenty-four (88.9%) were delivered >34 weeks and 1 (3.7%) before 28 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Selective termination in dichorionic twins discordant for congenital defect is a safe procedure with low risk of unintended fetal loss. This option is a reasonable alternative to expectant management or termination of the whole pregnancy.