Discordance in nuchal translucency thickness in the prediction of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Objective To examine in monochorionic pregnancies the possible value of intertwin discordance in nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in the prediction of early fetal death or severe twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Methods In 512 monochorionic twin pregnancies NT was measured at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks’ gestation and regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the association between the intertwin discordance in NT and subsequent early fetal death or development of severe TTTS requiring endoscopic laser surgery. Results In 412 (80.5%) pregnancies there was a normal outcome, in 58 (11.3%) there was severe TTTS requiring endoscopic laser surgery at 18–24 weeks, in 19 (3.7%) there was death of one or both fetuses at 13–18 weeks and in 23 (4.5%) there was fetal death at 21–38 weeks. In the four outcome groups the median discordance in NT was 11%, 22%, 35% and 7%, respectively. Significant prediction of early fetal death and severe TTTS was provided by the discordance in fetal NT, which was not significantly improved by including the discordance in crown–rump length. If the discordance in NT was 20% or more, the false positive rate was 20%, the detection rate of early fetal death was 63% and the detection rate of severe TTTS was 52%. Conclusions Discordance in NT of 20% or more is found in about 25% of monochorionic twins and in this group the risk of early fetal death or development of severe TTTS is more than 30%. If the discordance is less than 20% the risk of complications is less than 10%. Copyright  2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.