[Newborn outcomes after radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction in the complicated monochorionic pregnancies]

To describe perinatal data and to evaluate the neonatal neurological outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies with selective termination by radiofrequency ablation.

Retrospective data of perinatal data for nine consecutive monochorionic pregnancies eligible for radiofrequency ablation from January 2013 to August 2015 were collected. A prospective observational study of the neurological outcome of nine children was conducted using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), 2nd edition, French version, adapted to the age.

The radiofrequency procedures were performed at a mean gestational age (GA) of 21.4 weeks (±7 weeks). The indications for a selective interruption of a pregnancy were: acardiac twin (n=4), brain malformation (n=1), severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with massive cerebral ischemia in the context of twin-twin transfusion syndrome grade III (n=1), severe selective IUGR associated with a polymalformative syndrome (n=1) and severe selective IUGR (n=2). The mean GA at birth was 36.7 weeks GA (±3.8 weeks). No infant showed neurological neonatal morbidity. Any ASQ area explored was pathological (<-2SD) for the nine children (mean age at follow-up [±SD], 14.8 months [±8.8 months]).

This work constitutes a preliminary study for developing long-term follow-up and early care programs for those children born subsequent to a radiofrequency ablation for selective reduction.