Morbidity associated with prenatal disruption of the dividing membrane in twin gestations

We report eight cases of intrauterine rupture of the dividing membranes in diamniotic twin gestations and the resulting perinatal morbidity and mortality. The poor outcomes associated with these intrauterine amniotic ruptures included fetal and neonatal death secondary to cord entanglement, preterm rupture of the membranes, preterm labor and delivery, and amniotic band syndrome. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 44% (seven of 16), and the mean gestational age at delivery was 29 weeks (range 22-34). Possible etiologies for this intrauterine diamniotic rupture include fetal trauma to the dividing membranes, amniocentesis, infection, and developmental disturbances. A new theory is examined to explain the surviving twin's morbidity associated with intrauterine death of the co-twin. This study suggests that intrauterine rupture of diamniotic twin membranes carries a perinatal mortality consistent with that of true monoamniotic gestations and that, in fact, this entity may be more common than previously thought. Finally, a suspected monoamniotic gestation cannot be ruled out by the historic presence of a dividing membrane on previous ultrasound examination.