Acute Polyhydramnios Complicating Twin Pregnancies

Abstract

Abstract. Acute polyhydramnios in the second trimestr is a typical complication in monozygous twin pregnancies. It is caused by a feto-fetal transfusion with anemia on the donor and polycytemia on the recipient twin. Contrary to the chronic hydramnios, there is no increase in malformations. In view of the high mortality rate (100%, according to most authors), the clinical management has to be reconsidered. During the years 1979 to 1983, 10 cases of acute polyhydramnios have been observed at the University Hospital in Zurich. This corresponds to an incidence of 9% in our twin population. All cases investigated were MZ twin pregnancies. With the exception of one patient, who underwent an abortion, all women were hospitalized, had bed rest and received recurrent removals of amniotic fluid and prophylactic tocolysis. The mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 23 4/7 weeks and at delivery 30 3/7 weeks. In two cases -one of which is presented in detail -with an unintentional puncture of a placental vessel, the recurrence of the hydramnios did not appear. Eight of 18 newborns survived. No malformations were found. Bed rest, tocolysis and recurrent amniocenteses seem to have a positive influence on the prolongation and outcome of the gestation in acute polyhydramnios.

Acute Polyhydramnios in Twin Pregnancy a Retrospective Study with Special Reference to therapeutic Amniocentesis

“…The clinical signs all derive from a rapid distension of one of the amniotic sacs. Despite its infrequency, it contributes significantly to the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in twin pregnancies because of premature delivery (3).…”

Multiple Pregnancies

“…Many authors have made crucial observations since Schatz' description (e.g., Wurzbach and Bunkin 1949 ) , and a summarizing review comes from Lopriore et al ( 1995 ) . When sonograms or radiographs are obtained after the hydramnios appears, the presence of a twin pregnancy is often recognized for the fi rst time, although the sizes of the twins may already be signi fi cantly different (Schneider et al 1985 ;Brown et al 1989 ) . In these cases, the placenta is later almost always found to be monochorial.…”

A Systematic Review of Amniotic Fluid Assessments in Twin Pregnancies

“…Table 1 lists the parameters of the studies included in the final analysis and whether they were used to assess measurements, outcomes, or both. [1][2][3]9,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Table 2 lists the studies included for abnormal AFV and adverse outcomes in twins. 3,[31][32][33]…”