| Multiple Gestations (Greater than Twin)
|
Etiology
• May be secondary to assisted fertility with implantation of multiple zygotes
• Unknown if sporadic
|
Pathogenesis
• Most assisted reproduction cases result from implantation of multiple zygotes resulting in "non-identical" twinning
• Sporadic cases may show a mixture of monozygous and multizygous gestations (also occasional monozygous twinning in assisted reproduction),
|
Epidemiology
• Increasing maternal age
• Varies in racial groups
• Assisted reproduction
|
General Gross Description
• Multiple placental disks with and without fusion
• Membrane appearance will vary depending on whether junctions are dichorionic or monochorionic
|
General Microscopic Description
• Dichorionic diamniotic junctions will show chorion intervening between the two amnions
• Monochorionic diamniotic junctions will show no chorion intervening between the amnions
|
Clinical Correlation
• Increased risk for morbidity and mortality associated with premature delivery.
|
References
• Benirschke K, Kaufmann P. Pathology of the human placenta, 3rd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1995, pp. 719-733.
|
| Multiple Gestations (Greater than Twin)
|
| Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T88100M29070)[433]
|
Search Medline at National Library of Medicine
Please be patient during transfer. Medline will open in a new window. To return, close the Medline Window
|