Acardiac twin pregnancies part IV: Acardiac onset from unequal embryonic splitting simulated by a fetoplacental resistance model

ConclusionOur analysis supports Benirschke's hypothesis. The smaller twin has to share its placental perfusion with the larger twin, which is a novel finding. The AA size is essential for the future of both fetuses but complicates easy understanding of (pseudo‐)acardiac clinical presentations. Late acardiac onset occurs infrequently. Using nonpulsating circulations may have caused our extensive predictions of late onset. An improved model requires including hypoxemia in the smaller twin from chronic placental hypoperfusion. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology - October 31, 2016 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Martin J.C. van Gemert, Jeroen P.H.M. van den Wijngaard, K. Marieke Paarlberg, Helena M. Gardiner, Peter G.J. Nikkels Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research