Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.

As part of the 2019 update, the guideline committee made an additional recommendation for research on the identification on twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence (TAPS). The committee removed 6 of the 2011 recommendations on screening for chromosomal conditions, screening for feto-fetal transfusion syndrome, defining fetal growth restriction, predicting and preventing spontaneous preterm birth, and perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in babies born by elective birth.

Key recommendations for research

1 Screening to detect twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence

What is the most accurate prenatal screening marker for TAPS, including middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA‑PSV)? [2019]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on diagnostic monitoring for twin anaemia polycythaemia sequence.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: screening for TAPS.

2 Information and support

Does additional information and emotional support improve outcomes in twin and triplet pregnancies? [2011]

3 Specialist care

Does specialist antenatal care for women with twin and triplet pregnancies improve outcomes for women and their babies? [2011]

4 Indications for referral to a tertiary level fetal medicine centre

What is the incidence of monochorionic monoamniotic twin and triplet pregnancies, and what clinical management strategies are most effective in such pregnancies? [2011]

Other recommendations for research

Gestational age

How should gestational age be estimated in twin and triplet pregnancies? [2011]

Chorionicity

What is the most accurate method of determining chorionicity in twin and triplet pregnancies at different gestational ages, and how does operator experience affect the accuracy of different methods? [2011]

Nutritional supplements

Is dietary supplementation with vitamins or minerals, or dietary manipulation in terms of calorie intake, effective in twin and triplet pregnancies? [2011]

Diet and lifestyle advice

Is dietary advice specific to twin and triplet pregnancies effective in improving maternal and fetal health and wellbeing? [2011]

Screening for structural abnormalities

When and how should screening for structural abnormalities be conducted in twin and triplet pregnancies? [2011]

Hypertension

Which clinical factors, laboratory screening tests, and ultrasound tests are predictive of hypertensive disorders in twin and triplet pregnancies? [2011]

Untargeted corticosteroids

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness, and safety, of routine antenatal administration of a single course of corticosteroids for women with twin and triplet pregnancies who are not in labour and in whom labour and birth are not imminent? [2011]

Indications for referral to a tertiary level fetal medicine centre

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of referral to tertiary level fetal medicine centres for twin and triplet pregnancies complicated by discordant fetal growth, discordant fetal anomaly or discordant fetal death? [2011]

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)