Why is it important to distinguish monochorionic from dichorionic twins?
It is of vital importance for the following reasons: Monochorionic twin pregnancies have a much higher risk for complications than dichorionic twin pregancies, because two babies have to grow on a single placenta, which is often not equally divided between both twins. Furthermore, their blood circulations are connected through blood vessels in the common placenta and blood may pass disproportionately from one baby to the other, leading to the twin -twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Identification of this high-risk group, will allow for a more careful surveillance of pregnancy.
