Twins Fighting in the Womb

Faline · #1 ● 12-09-2012, 10:51 AM

Siblings apparently are never too young to be rivals, a video taken from a new high-clarity MRI scan shows.

The high-tech monitor, also dubbed the "cinematic MRI," allows doctors to see, in better detail, when twins vie for space in utero, Dr. Marisa Taylor-Clarke of Imperial College's Robert Steiner MR Unit in London told Reuters.

While the new MRI provides amazing footage, it has an important application on a diagnostic level: Doctors use it to diagnose how fetuses are affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) -- a dangerous condition in which one identical twin siphons blood away from the other, the doctor said.

"A lot of the so-called videos in the womb are very processed, so they do a lot of reconstructing and computer work afterwards. These are the raw images that are acquired immediately," Taylor-Clarke told New Scientist to explain why she uses the technique to study TTTS.

This condition deprives the "donor" of nutrients and can put too much pressure on the heart of the one receiving the lion's share, according to the Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation. It can occur at any time during pregnancy. While a regular ultrasound may be able to detect TTTS, it does not reveal its impact.

Advances in technology have allowed doctors, parents and researchers to get an up-close look at fetuses in the womb.

**kellyhound** · #2 ● 12-09-2012, 12:12 PM

lol big bully. wondering if those mri's are harmfull for babies and mothers in the longer run.

Karma · #3 ● 12-09-2012, 02:38 PM

Took me a few seconds to see what I was looking for! I am not surprised the poor little twin is kicking back...his bigger sibling is stealing his blood supply.