ultrasound diagnosis of fatal anomalies

MULTIPLE PREGNANCY
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group development guidelines, quarterly
newsletter, bereavement support, pen-pal
program. Membership through local clubs.
Scope: National
Number of groups: 475 clubs
Founded: 1960
Address: P.O. Box 438, Thompson Station, TN
37179–0438, United States
Telephone: 1–877–540–2200 (referrals only)
or 615–595–0936
E-mail: nomotc@aol.com
Web: http://www.nomotc.org/
Title: Triplet Connection
Description: Network of caring and sharing
for families of multiple birth. The emphasis is
on providing quality information regarding
pregnancy management and preterm birth
prevention for high-risk multiple pregnancies.
Expectant parents’ package, quarterly
newsletter, phone support, and resources.
Scope: International
Founded: 1982
Address: P.O. Box 99571, Stockton, CA 95209,
United States
Conjoined Twins
Definition: Incomplete separation of monozygotic
twins; in 70% of cases, the thoracic region is
affected (thoracopagus).
Incidence: One in 70 000 births; one in 300 monozygotic
twin pregnancies.
Sex ratio: M F.
Embryology: Incomplete division of the embryonic
disk at a later developmental stage of the
blastocyte (at least 13 days after fertilization) in
a monozygotic twin pregnancy.
Telephone: 209–474–0885
Fax: 209–474–2233
E-mail: tc@tripletconnection.org
Web: http://www.tripletconnection.org
Title: MOST (Mothers of Super Twins)
Description: Support network of families who
are expecting, or are already the parents of,
triplets or more. Provides information, support,
resources, and empathy during pregnancy,
infancy, toddlerhood, and school age.
Magazine, networking, phone and online support,
catalogue. Specific resource persons for
individual challenges. Help in starting groups.
Scope: National
Number of groups: 50 + affiliated groups
Founded: 1987
Address: P.O. Box 951, Brentwood, NY 11717–
0627, United States
Telephone: 631–859–1110
Fax: 631–859–3580
E-mail: mostmom@nyc.pipeline.com
Web: http://www.MOSTonline.org
Ultrasound findings: Conjoined twins are always
associated with monochorionic, monozygotic
twin pregnancies. The fetuses lie in the immediate
proximity of one another and are unable to
move away from each other. They may be joined
at the head (craniopagus, less than 2%), at the
hips (ischiopagus, 5%), at the thorax (thoracopagus,
70%), or at various other body parts. Dicephalus
is a special form of conjoined twins:
one body and two heads. Hydramnios is
frequently present.
Clinical management: Further ultrasound
screening, including fetal echocardiography. Pediatricians
and pediatric surgeons should be
consulted regarding the prognosis. Serial ultrasound
scans are advised for detection of fetal hydrops
and monitoring of growth. Intrauterine
fetal death occurs in 30% of cases. If the mother
decides to continue with the pregnancy, primary
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