Sound waves can solve problems with multiple pregnancy complications- Imperial College London reports. The research involved the study of sheep.
The early-stage feasibility used High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, which is a technique used for cancer treatments. The same ultrasound is said to be able to help in solving the Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). The technology is being developed at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Twins usually have complications but lesser problems compared to other multiple pregnancies. Scientifically speaking, one placenta can support one fetus. In the case of twin pregnancy, the two fetuses share the same placenta and this is where the complications develop.
Almost 60% of twin pregnancies are delivered preterm, and on the other hand, 90% of triplets are given birth preterm as well. Anyhow, the Imperial College London suggests that this can be solved through the use of high energy sound waves. Nonetheless, the process is very critical. The report says that:
"Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome can have tragic consequences, and in severe cases results in one tiny twin, while the other is very large - and begins to squash its sibling in the womb. Unfortunately, the little baby often does very badly - and in some cases the condition results in the loss of both twins." They were able to determine this through the placenta of a sheep. "The blood vessels in the sheep placenta have a similar structure to blood vessels in the human placenta, enabling the researchers to assess whether the HIFU could separate the placenta in TTTS.", the study says. The sheep is perfect for the study because its fetus' size is similar with human fetus' size.
The research showed that there is a high risk but the possibility to give the cure is very high as well. The work was supported by The Isaac Newton Trust, Genesis Research Trust, and Action Medical Research. With such great supporters for this research though, we expect real progress in the specific real application for future twin pregnancies.
