Conjoined Twins
prenatal diagnosis and management
Keywords:
conjoined twins, prenatal diagnosis, ultrasoundAbstract
Conjoined twins are a rare anomaly which occurs more frequently in female fetuses. The prenatal diagnosis is enabled by ultrasound examination and it can be done in the first trimester. Other imaging tools, like three-dimensional sonography, Doppler, magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and fetal echocardiography, can help the diagnosis and provide better assessment of the conjoined area. The prognosis of conjoined twins is often poor; around 40% are stillborn and 30% died within the first 24 hours. Parent counselling should consider the extension of twins fusion and the involvement of vital organs.
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