The abandonment in utero of the placenta in prolonged twin pregnancy after premature rupture of membranes

Abstract

Premature rupture of fetal membranes is associated with a substantial fetal morbidity and mortality. Immediate actions that can improve the future neonatal outcome are the administration of antenatal corticosteroid therapy, infection prophylaxis, tocolytic drugs and insurance of an appropriate neonatal nursery level. One of the essential points in the management of these cases is the attempt to extend as much as possible the gestational age, especially in mid trimester premature rupture of membranes and even more considering that the duration of the latency period inversely correlates with gestational age at membrane rupture. We present the case of a patient aged 41 years admitted as obstetric emergency for suspected leakage of clear fluid in context of dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy, 22 weeks of gestation, obtained by in vitro fertilization due to primary infertility. Under continuous tocolytic and antibiotic treatment, the extension of the gestational age of the first fetus with 5 weeks was successfully obtained. The second fetus was born one week later as a result of the abandonment in utero of the placenta. Complications implied by preterm rupture of membranes in twin pregnancies are significantly influenced by the presence of chorioamnionitis and by placentation. We consider that the prognosis of the second fetus, perfectly normal developed during first 5 years, was positive and significantly influenced by the prolonged gestational age with almost one week.