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Chapter 29 - Clinical Interventions to Prevent Preterm Birth in Multiple Pregnancies

from Preterm Birth of the Singleton and Multiple Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2019

By
Maud D. van Zijl ,
Brenda M. Kazemier  and
Ben W. Mol
Edited by
Mark D. Kilby ,
Anthony Johnson  and
Dick Oepkes
Mark D. Kilby
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
Anthony Johnson
Affiliation:
University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Dick Oepkes
Affiliation:
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum
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Summary

Twin, triplet or higher order pregnancies are referred to as multiple pregnancies. The prevalence of multiple pregnancies is around 1 per 80 live births [1]. Twins can be either dizygotic, resulting from the fertilization of two separate ova during a single ovulatory cycle, or monozygotic, resulting from a single fertilized ovum that subsequently divides into two separate individuals. Dizygotic twins are more prevalent than monozygotic twins. Higher order multiples can result from either or both processes. Monozygotic twins can either be dichorionic (1/3), monochorionic (2/3), or mono-amniotic (1/3). Which type of monozygotic twin eventually develops depends on the moment of splitting of the fertilized ovum. If the ovum splits within the first 3 days dichorionic twins develop, if the ovum splits between 4 and 8 days monochorionic/diamniotic twins develop, between 8 and 12 days mono-amniotic twins develop, and if the ovum splits after 12 days this gives rise to conjoined twins.

Type
Chapter
Information
Fetal Therapy
Scientific Basis and Critical Appraisal of Clinical Benefits
 , pp. 325 - 332
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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