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- Title
Number of yolk sacs does not predict amnionicity in early first-trimester monochorionic multiple gestations.
- Authors
Shen, O.; Samueloff, A.; Beller, U.; Rabinowitz, R.
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To determine the relationship between amnionicity and number of yolk sacs before 11 weeks of gestation.<bold>Methods: </bold>Twenty-two cases of monochorionic multiple pregnancy were scanned before 11 weeks of gestation. There were 21 sets of twins and one of triplets. Amnionicity was determined by visualization of a dividing amniotic membrane between the gestational sacs. The number of yolk sacs was recorded and compared with the presence or absence of a dividing membrane for all fetuses.<bold>Results: </bold>In 17/20 (85%) cases of monochorionic diamniotic twins, two yolk sacs were seen. In 3/20 (15%) cases of monochorionic diamniotic twins, a single yolk sac was seen. In the one case of monochorionic diamniotic triplets, two yolk sacs were visualized. In one case of monoamniotic twins, a single yolk sac was observed.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>In monochorionic pregnancies, the presence of two yolk sacs predicts diamnionicity. However, the use of the number of yolk sacs as a predictor of amnionicity may not be accurate in a small proportion of patients. The diagnosis of monoamnionicity can be made only following a careful search for a dividing amniotic membrane.
- Subjects
MEDICAL research; YOLK sac; AMNIOTIC liquid; PRENATAL care; FIRST trimester of pregnancy; MULTIPLE pregnancy
- Publication
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2006, Vol 27, Issue 1, p53
- ISSN
0960-7692
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1002/uog.2637