Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37770827›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2023

Developmental outcomes for survivors of placental laser photocoagulation for the management of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Angela Guzys, Susan M Reid, Christie Bolch, Dinah S Reddihough, Mark Teoh, Ricardo Palma-Dias, Alison Fung, Stephen Cole, Ryan Hodges, Michael Fahey and 1 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact, top 80% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed, 0 citations in OpenAlex.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 7 institutions in 1 country.

Angela GuzysNeurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1618-433X
Susan M ReidNeurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9415-5246
Christie BolchNeurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Dinah S ReddihoughNeurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3634-7906
Mark TeohFetal Diagnostics Unit, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Ricardo Palma-DiasDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Alison FungMercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia.
Stephen ColeDivision of Maternity Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Ryan HodgesWomen's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Michael FaheyPaediatric Neurology Unit, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0811-4785
Susan P WalkerDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. spwalker@unimelb.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9075-4655
Monash Health · AUMurdoch Children's Research Institute · AURoyal Children's Hospital · AURoyal Women's Hospital · AUMercy Hospital for Women · AUMonash Children’s Hospital · AUThe University of Melbourne · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFetoscopic laser coagulation of placental anastomoses reverses the pathological process in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, thereby increasing survival, but there are a paucity of studies addressing long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of survivors. This study aimed to ascertain the presence of neurodevelopmental disabilities in child survivors of monochorionic pregnancies managed by placental laser photocoagulation in the Australian state of Victoria.

methodsAll pregnancies undergoing placental laser photocoagulation with the Victorian Fetal Therapy Service between 2006-2017 were included. Information on each surviving child, including demographics, perinatal course, and developmental progress was collected from parents, and consent was sought to complete the Child Behaviour Checklist. Interviewers evaluated whether this information was consistent with a diagnosis of any of 14 neurodevelopmental conditions. A three-tiered outcome measure was allocated for each child: (1) unimpaired or developmentally normal, (2) mild or moderate neurological impairment, or (3) severe neurological impairment. Clinical predictors for adverse outcome were identified.

resultsOf 116 pregnancies (113 twin, 3 triplet), 96 (83%) resulted in 1 + surviving fetuses. 57/113 (50%) twin pregnancies resulted in 2 survivors, 36 (32%) in 1 survivor, and 20 (18%) in no survivors. Of the 235 fetuses, 154 (65.5%) survived to follow-up. Survival increased from 59% in 2006-2008 to 73% in 2015-2017. 90/154 (58%) survivors were followed up at a mean age of 7.5 [SD 3.0] years. Based on parental interview and Child Behaviour Checklist data, 28/90 (31%) participants were assessed as having neurodevelopmental impairment, 27 of mild-moderate severity and 1 severe. Speech/language disorders, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorders, and fine motor impairment were most common. Neonatal length of stay conferred the highest risk of impairment.

conclusionSubstantial variation exists between fetal therapy services in the type and length of neonatal follow-up following fetoscopic laser coagulation, contributing to a lack of data on long-term outcomes. The findings from this study support increasingly urgent calls to undertake systematic and sustained follow-up of fetoscopic laser coagulation survivors until school age. Information from this study may assist parents in their decision-making when offered fetal surgery. Importantly, it highlights a group for targeted surveillance and early intervention.

Indexed as

Fetofetal TransfusionAustraliaChildFemaleGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornLaser CoagulationLasersPlacentaPregnancyPregnancy, TwinSurvivorsFetal therapiesFetoscopyLaser therapyTwinsTwin-twin transfusion

Identifiers

PMID37770827
PMCPMC10540356
OpenAlexW4387132295

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.