What is the definition of multiple pregnancy?
Multiple pregnancy refers to the presence of more than one fetus in the uterus.
What are the different types of multiple pregnancy?
The types include twins, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, and sextuplets.
What is the incidence of twins in multiple pregnancies?
Twins account for over 95% of multiple pregnancies; triplets occur in 1-2% of cases.
What are the two types of zygosity in twins?
The two types of zygosity are monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal).
What is the difference between monozygotic and dizygotic twins?
Monozygotic twins come from one fertilized ovum that splits, while dizygotic twins come from two different eggs fertilized by two sperm.
What is the meaning of chorionicity in multiple pregnancy?
Chorionicity refers to the number of placentas shared by the fetuses in a multiple pregnancy.
What is the difference between dichorionic and monochorionic twins?
Dichorionic twins have separate placentas, while monochorionic twins share a single placenta.
How are monozygotic twins formed?
Monozygotic twins are formed by the splitting of one fertilized ovum into two genetically identical fetuses.
What is the formation process of dizygotic twins?
Dizygotic twins are formed when two eggs are fertilized by two sperm, resulting in two genetically distinct fetuses.
What are the common complications for mothers in multiple pregnancies?
Complications for mothers include hyperemesis, preeclampsia, anemia, and hypertension.
What are the most common fetal complications in multiple pregnancies?
Fetal complications include spontaneous miscarriage, vanishing twin syndrome, and fetal growth issues.
What is the Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs when one twin is absorbed by the body early in pregnancy, leaving no visible remains in later scans.
What is Fetus Papyraceous?
Fetus Papyraceous is when a dead twin is compressed against the uterine wall by the surviving twin.
What is the significance of zygosity in multiple pregnancy?
Zygosity determines whether twins are genetically identical (monozygotic) or fraternal (dizygotic).
How can chorionicity affect the pregnancy outcome?
Chorionicity affects the pregnancy outcome because monochorionic pregnancies have higher risks of complications like TTTS and acardiac twins.
What is the incidence of conjoined twins?
Conjoined twins occur in about 1 in 60,000 births and result from incomplete splitting of a single fertilized ovum.
What does the T-sign in ultrasound indicate?
The T-sign indicates a monochorionic pregnancy where the intertwin membrane ends abruptly.
What is the Lambda sign in ultrasound?
The Lambda sign, or twin peak sign, indicates a dichorionic pregnancy with separate placentas.
What are the risks associated with monochorionic pregnancies?
Monochorionic pregnancies have a higher risk of complications like TTTS, intrauterine death of co-twin, and acardiac twins.
What is Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)?
TTTS occurs when there is an imbalance in the vascular connections between monochorionic twins, leading to unequal blood flow.
What is the role of laser surgery in TTTS?
Laser surgery can treat TTTS by closing abnormal vascular connections between the fetuses.
What is the cause of Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence (TRAP)?
TRAP occurs when blood is shunted from a healthy twin (the ‘pump’ twin) to an underdeveloped twin (the ‘acardiac’ twin), which has no heart.
How does TRAP affect the ‘pump’ twin and the acardiac twin?
The ‘pump’ twin faces heart failure due to overwork, while the ‘acardiac’ twin is not viable due to lack of a functional heart.
What are the characteristics of Monoamniotic (MCMA) twin pregnancy?
Monoamniotic twins share one amniotic sac, which increases the risk of cord entanglement and fetal loss.
