2-4 The occurrence of a single fetal death is a relatively common event, occurring in approximately 6% of cases, 2,4-6 and has several implications for maternal and fetal outcomes, such as maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and structural abnormalities in the surviving fetus (e.g., cerebral alterations, bilateral renal cortical necrosis, gastrointestinal tract atresia, and aplasia cutis). Multifetal pregnancies are estimated to represent 3.2% of all pregnancies (80% are dichorionic and 20% monochorionic) 1 and are associated with a higher risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality when compared to single pregnancies. This is a rare event that results from incomplete reabsorption of the dead fetus, which is then compressed between the membranes and the uterine wall. In gestational losses where the fetus is retained intrauterine for at least 10 weeks, there is the possibility of finding fetus papyraceus at the time of delivery.
#Lost twins at 13 weeks serial
In order to avoid complications and achieve the optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes, conservative prenatal follow-up should focus on careful monitoring and serial assessment of both fetal and maternal wellbeing. This diagnosis is relevant due to its potential effect on the survival of the other fetus and on possible maternal complications. The occurrence of a single fetal death is a relatively common event, which has implications for maternal and fetal outcomes. A healthy (2.855 kg) female infant was born and a dead fetus, approximately 20 cm in length and connected by the rudimentary umbilical cord to the small calcified placenta, was seen.
The diagnosis was made in the 22 nd week of pregnancy and the pregnancy was followed up until delivery in the 39 th week.
The authors report a successful case of conservative management of a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy after a single fetal death in the second trimester of pregnancy. Multifetal pregnancies are estimated to represent 3.2% of all pregnancies (80% are dichorionic and 20% monochorionic) and are associated with a higher risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality relative to single pregnancies.