Twin-to-Twin Transfusion
Also known as fetal transfusion syndrome, it is a rare condition that occurs only in identical twins while the babies are still in the womb and involves the transfer of blood from one twin to the other. It occurs when blood moves from one twin to the other. Both infants may have problems depending on the severity of the transfusion; the donor twin may have too little blood and the other may have too much. The donor twin may be anemic enough to need a blood transfusion and the recipient twin may need to have the volume of fluid reduced. Other treatment options include repeated amniocentesis during pregnancy or fetal laser surgery to interrupt the flow of blood.
