Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins with Sex Discordance: Case Series

<b>Background and Clinical Significance:</b> Ultrasonographic diagnosis of twin pregnancies has become routine, with chorionicity playing a crucial role in assessing associated risks. Traditionally, monochorionic (MC) twins were believed to derive from a single zygote, ensuring sex concordance. However, recent cases of dizygotic monochorionic (MCDZ) twins challenge this paradigm. In this paper, four cases of MCDZ twins with sex discordance are described. <b>Case presentation:</b> Case 1 and case 2 describe two spontaneous MC/diamniotic twin pregnancies in which sex discordance between twins was attributed to blood chimerism. Case 3 is about a MC/diamniotic twin pregnancy derived from a single blastocyst transfer after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and that was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, with zygosity testing confirming the dizygosity. Case 4 is a twin anemia polycythemia sequence diagnosed after birth in twins considered dichorionic during pregnancy (due to sex difference) and defined as monochorionic after placental examination. <b>Conclusions:</b> The prevalence of monochorionic dizygotic (MCDZ) twins remains uncertain, and many cases likely go unnoticed, particularly when twins are of the same sex. In twin pregnancies, determining chorionicity during the first-trimester ultrasound (US) is critical. Accurate identification of monochorionicity is essential for managing potential complications. Careful verification of sex concordance between twins is necessary. In cases of sex discordance, amniocentesis is required for karyotype evaluation and zygosity testing.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2025-02-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15030372
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.49
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins with Sex Discordance: Case Series

Luigina Spaccini, Lisanne S.A. Tollenaar, Mariano Lanna, Enrico Lopriore et al.
1 citations
Diagnostics
Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
3.49
article

Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins with Sex Discordance: Case Series

Luigina Spaccini, Lisanne S.A. Tollenaar, Mariano Lanna, Enrico Lopriore, Valentina Sala, Daniela Casati, Arianna Laoreti, S. Faiola
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background and Clinical Significance:</b> Ultrasonographic diagnosis of twin pregnancies has become routine, with chorionicity playing a crucial role in assessing associated risks. Traditionally, monochorionic (MC) twins were believed to derive from a single zygote, ensuring sex concordance. However, recent cases of dizygotic monochorionic (MCDZ) twins challenge this paradigm. In this paper, four cases of MCDZ twins with sex discordance are described. <b>Case presentation:</b> Case 1 and case 2 describe two spontaneous MC/diamniotic twin pregnancies in which sex discordance between twins was attributed to blood chimerism. Case 3 is about a MC/diamniotic twin pregnancy derived from a single blastocyst transfer after in vitro fertilization (IVF), and that was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, with zygosity testing confirming the dizygosity. Case 4 is a twin anemia polycythemia sequence diagnosed after birth in twins considered dichorionic during pregnancy (due to sex difference) and defined as monochorionic after placental examination. <b>Conclusions:</b> The prevalence of monochorionic dizygotic (MCDZ) twins remains uncertain, and many cases likely go unnoticed, particularly when twins are of the same sex. In twin pregnancies, determining chorionicity during the first-trimester ultrasound (US) is critical. Accurate identification of monochorionicity is essential for managing potential complications. Careful verification of sex concordance between twins is necessary. In cases of sex discordance, amniocentesis is required for karyotype evaluation and zygosity testing.

DiagnosticsVol. 15(3)
University of Milan (IT), Leiden University Medical Center (NL), Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi (IT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
3.49
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.