Single Fetal Demise in Twin Pregnancy—A Great Concern but Still a Favorable Outcome

Bogdan Ioan Stefanescu,Constantin Trus,Ana-Maria Adam,Georgiana Bianca Constantin

doi:10.3390/diseases9020033

Bogdan Ioan Stefanescu, Constantin Trus + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases9020033

Copy DOI

Journal: Diseases	Publication Date: Apr 29, 2021
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati

Abstract

The incidence of multiple pregnancies has increased in the last decades, mostly explained by the more frequent use of ovulation induction drugs and assisted reproduction techniques. Although single fetal death in the first trimester of twin pregnancy is not an uncommon event nor does it have serious consequences on the survival fetus, the death of one fetus in the second or third trimester of pregnancy is associated with a serious increase in morbidity and mortality for the surviving co-twin. Preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), neurological complications or even the death of the surviving twin have been associated with single fetal demise after mid gestation. We present a very rare case of twin pregnancy with single fetal demise at 26 weeks of gestation successfully managed to term.

Highlights

Pregnancy—A Great Concern but Single fetal loss of a twin pregnancy during the first trimester is not an uncommon event and seems not to impair the further development of the survival one [1]
Apart from important psychological stress to both parents and attending obstetrician, this condition is highly associated with preterm labor, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), neurological complications or even the death of the surviving twin, as well as maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
According to Enbom, the incidence of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise ranges from 0.5% to 6.8% [6,7]

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy—A Great Concern but Single fetal loss of a twin pregnancy during the first trimester is not an uncommon event and seems not to impair the further development of the survival one [1]. This situation is described in the literature as the “vanishing twin syndrome”. The death of a twin in the late second or third trimester of pregnancy is a rare obstetric complication associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

Case Report

Results and Discussions

Conclusions