2ND TRIMESTER AMNIOCENTESIS IN TWIN PREGNANCIES - MATERNAL HEMOGLOBIN AS A DYE MARKER TO DIFFERENTIATE DIAMNIOTIC TWINS

Objective To review the use of a membrane-free haemolysate prepared from maternal blood to distinguish the amniotic sacs at amniocentesis in twin gestation. Setting University Hospital, Groningen. Method Haemoglobin solution prepared from maternal blood. Subjects 63 twin pregnancies having amniocentesis. Results The fetal loss before 28 weeks was 4%. There was no perinatal mortality. Dye was detected in the second sac in 9 of 24 women tested before 1985 and none of the 39 women since, no malformations could be ascribed to the use of the haemolysate. Conclusion The use of the membrane-free haemolysate is safe, but the technique will probably gradually become redundant because of improved ultrasound.