Twin - to - Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Twin - to - Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS, Twin - Twin Transfusion Syndrome, Feto fetal Transfusion Syndrome or Fetal Transfusion Syndrome) occurs specifically with identical twins, sharing the same placenta (A temporary organ joining the mother and fetus. Contains rich supply of blood vessels. The placenta transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus, and removes carbon dioxide and waste products from the fetus. The full length of the placenta is about seven inches in diameter and less then two inches thick.) Normally or during healthy gestation period, the exchange of blood between the twin fetuses occurs so that one twin will receive and pumps blood to the recipient or other twin. However, in Twin - Twin Transfusion Syndrome, the blood will flow unevenly. One of the fetal twin's will receive too much blood and the other will not get enough blood to provide sufficient nutrition. The recipient receives too much blood, may experience heart failure due to continual strain on its heart and blood vessels. The donor twin may experience life - threatening anemia (blood Disorder: The number of red blood cells becomes too low. This can cause fatigue, and stress on bodily organs. Insufficiently, carrying oxygen to the body tissues.) or inadequate supply of blood. Twin - Twin Transfusion is confirmed after birth (assuming both fetuses survive), by a blood cell count, which will show anemia in the donor and excess red blood cells in the recipient twin. This syndrome can occur any time during the pregnancy, including during delivery. Estimated to occur up to 15 percent of identical twin pregnancies, and develops in mid pregnancy from about 16 weeks to about 28 weeks. Available medical options treating Twin - to - Twin Transfusion Syndrome or suggestions for treatment, depending upon the severity of the situation. If Fetal Transfusion Syndrome is left untreated, there is a 70 - 100 percent chance that the twins will not survive, when detected in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.