Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence with blood chimerism in monochorionic dizygotic opposite-sex twins

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2019 Jun;45(6):1201-1204. doi: 10.1111/jog.13949. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Abstract

We report a case of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence with blood chimerism in monochorionic dizygotic twins born to a 30-year-old woman who conceived via ovulation induction. The neonates developed twin anemia-polycythemia sequence; the female twin had anemia and the male had polycythemia. We detected blood chimerism using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence carries not only perinatal risks, but also genetic and immunological implications due to blood chimerism. Although previous reports have described twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in monochorionic dizygotic twins, we report the first case of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence in monochorionic dizygotic twins.

Keywords: chimerism; monochorionic dizygotic twins; multiple pregnancy; twin anemia-polycythemia sequence; twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Neonatal / diagnosis*
  • Chimerism*
  • Chorion
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Polycythemia / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy
  • Twins, Dizygotic*