Conjoined Twins

How are conjoined twins diagnosed?

A routine ultrasound is the most common form of diagnosis for conjoined twins. The ultrasound might raise suspicion if the babies appear to be in the same pregnancy sac (meaning no dividing membrane). Then, if there is no dividing membrane, the babies' bodies might not appear to be separate or they might not change position relative to each other as time passes. Prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy, this condition may be diagnosed incorrectly by ultrasound. Multiple organ structures might be involved and/or developing abnormally.

MRI and echocardiogram are used to provide additional details. The more we know about the anatomy and how precisely the two babies are joined, the more accurately our team can assess whether surgically separating the twins is possible, and if so, how best to proceed.

Understandably, this is a very upsetting diagnosis. The fetal care specialists at the Colorado Fetal Care Center can help guide your family through pregnancy, delivery and care for your twins after birth. Successful surgical separation after birth is possible, but the outcomes depend on the type of connection as well as which organs and body structures are shared.

Managing pregnancy with conjoined twins

Conjoined twins can be delivered by cesarean section at our state-of-the-art facility, where our team specializes in managing this condition. Our fetal experts also have experience in procedures to surgically separate the twins after birth. There are no surgical procedures that can be performed while the babies are still in the uterus (referred to as fetal interventions) to separate conjoined twins.

Treatment options for conjoined twins varies from case to case. The Colorado Fetal Care Center works closely with the parents to identify the best treatment plan for their babies.

As a parent, it can feel overwhelming to think about the implications of having conjoined twins. But as one of the nation's top care centers for conjoined twin treatment, the Colorado Fetal Care Center is uniquely positioned to care for your babies while supporting your family with helpful resources along the way.

Conjoined twin treatment options vary based on where and how the babies are joined. Twins born without immediately life-threatening complications, often those joined at the buttocks or sharing a single pelvis, usually wait several months for surgery. During that time, physicians evaluate organ sharing and plan the surgical approach.

Twins whose lives are immediately threatened, especially those connected at the chest or head, require emergency surgery before extensive diagnostics can be completed. Once the initial surgeries are complete, with or without separation, physicians conduct tests then devise a multi-step approach to each health issue according to its urgency and long-term impact.

Will both babies survive if surgically separated?

Significant ethical considerations arise in cases where it is not possible to achieve separation without sacrificing the life or the quality of the life of one of the two twins. Our surgical team will discuss your options and the survival chances of each twin based on the surgical procedure they choose.

What is the long-term outcome for conjoined twins?

Because there are so many types of conjoined twins and each pair's connection can vary, the outcome depends on a wide range of variables. Your physicians will assess your case with a high degree of detail through multiple diagnostic tests and create a treatment plan aimed at maximizing your children's health and quality of life.