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The Outcome of Twin Pregnancies Complicated by Single Fetal Death After 20 Weeks of Gestation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Halil Aslan*
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatology, SSK Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. halil34aslan@hotmail.com
Ahmet Gul
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatology, SSK Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Altan Cebeci
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatology, SSK Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ibrahim Polat
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatology, SSK Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Yavuz Ceylan
Affiliation:
Department of Perinatology, SSK Bakirkoy Maternity and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
*
*Address for correspondence: Halil Aslan, Defne 02-03, B-10, Daire 17, Bahcesehir, Istanbul, Turkey.

Abstract

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Aretrospective study involving 972 twin births was conducted to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal death. The incidence of single fetal death in twin pregnancies after 20 weeks was 3.3%. Preterm birth rates for 37 and 32 gestational weeks were 81.3% and 41.6% respectively. The median interval between the diagnosis of fetal death and the delivery was 11 days (range 1–27 days). Eighteen (56%) infants were delivered by cesarean and 14 (43%) vaginally. Twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was the cause of single fetal death in 8 of 32 twin pregnancies (25%). Ten of the surviving co-twins were lost in the neonatal period (31.3%) and half of those neonatal deaths were due to TTTS. TTTS is the major contributor for perinatal mortality in same-sex twins complicated by single fetal death. The death of one twin in utero should not be the only indication for preterm delivery, and in case of severe prematurity with a stable intrauterine environment; expectant management may be advisable until fetal lung maturation ensues.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004