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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffUp to 50 percent of conjoined twins develop excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). Too much amniotic fluid may increase the risk of serious pregnancy complications, such as premature rupture of the membranes, preterm labor, problems with the umbilical cord and stillbirth.
Most often, conjoined twins result in tragedy for the pregnancy. Vaginal delivery is rarely possible. About 40 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn. Of conjoined twins born alive, less than half survive long enough to be candidates for separation surgery.
- From 'monsters' to modern medical miracles: Selected moments in the history of conjoined twins from medieval to modern times. United States National Library of Medicine. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/conjoined/embryology.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Roque H, et al. Monoamniotic twin pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Stone JL, et al. The craniopagus malformation: Classification and implications for surgical separation. Brain. 2006;129(5):1084-1095.
- Spitz L, et al. Success rate for surgery of conjoined twins. The Lancet. 2000;356:1765.
- Wilcox DT, et al. Urological problems in conjoined twins. British Journal of Urology. 1998;81:905-910.
- Carnevale FC, et al. Importance of angiographic study in preoperative planning of conjoined twins: Case report. Clinics. 2006;61(2): 167-170.
- Pajkrt E, et al. First-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25(9):820-826.
- Kaufman M. The embryology of conjoined twins. Child's Nervous System. International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. 2004;20(8-9):508-525.
- Gilbert S. Types of conjoined twins. In: Gilbert S. Developmental Biology. 8th ed.
- Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, Inc; 2006. http://8e.devbio.com/article.php?id=112&search=conjoined%20twins. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
