Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of 167 children after intrauterine laser treatment for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study was undertaken to investigate long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children born after intrauterine laser coagulation for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN:

One hundred sixty-seven surviving infants treated between June 1997 and September 1999 were investigated at a median age of 3 years and 2 months. All children underwent a detailed standardized physical and neurologic examination and a standardized developmental test (Griffiths' Developmental Test Scales and Snijders-Oomen Non-Verbal-Intelligence Test).

RESULTS:

One hundred forty-five infants (86.8%) showed normal development, 12 infants (7.2%) showed minor neurologic abnormalities, and 10 infants (6.0%) major neurologic abnormalities. There was no difference in outcome for the former donors/recipients (P = .349) and between infants who were born as twins or singletons (P = .088).

CONCLUSION:

With a high rate (86.8%) of normal neurodevelopmental outcome and an incidence of only 6.0% of major neurologic deficiencies, intrauterine laser coagulation seems to be the best treatment option for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

• Authors: Cornelia Graef, Birte Ellenrieder, Kurt Hecher, Bernhard J Hackeloer, Agnes Huber, Peter Bartmann
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 194 Issue 2 Pg. 303-8 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 1097-6868 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16458621 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Child Development
• Child, Preschool
• Developmental Disabilities (epidemiology, etiology)
• Endoscopy
• Female
• Fetal Therapies
• Fetofetal Transfusion (complications, surgery)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Laser Coagulation
• Logistic Models
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Pregnancy Trimester, Second