The changing Doppler patterns and perinatal outcomes of monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes and Doppler patterns changes in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 362 sFGR cases from January 2010 to May 2016 at a single tertiary referral center. The Doppler waveforms of umbilical artery end-diastolic flow were collected, and all neonates were subjected to an early neonatal brain scan.

Results: A total of 66/100 (66 %) type I cases were stable, whereas 25/100 (25 %) cases changed to type II and 9/100 (9 %) changed to sFGR complicated twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). A total of 48.9 % (22/45) sFGR cases were complicated with polyhydramnios and 30.4 % (7/23) sFGR cases were complicated with oligohydramnios, both of which were progressed to sFGR with TTTS. Mild cerebral injury was significantly associated with Doppler flow abnormalities, earlier gestational age at delivery and type of sFGR diagnosis. Severe cerebral injury was significantly associated with gestational age at delivery (31.6 vs. 34.1, p=0.002) and larger birthweight discordance (43.9 vs. 29.3 %, p=0.011).

Conclusions: Doppler patterns in sFGR can gradually change, with important consequences with regard to management and outcomes. Along with abnormal Doppler findings, earlier occurrence of sFGR and delivery are associated with subsequent neonatal cerebral injury.