Management and outcome of multiple pregnancies complicated by the antenatal death of one fetus.
Over a 15-year period, infants from 1,192 multiple gestations were delivered at Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel. In 21 patients the pregnancy was complicated by the antenatal death of one fetus. In 2 of the 4 cases of monochorionic placenta, both twins died in utero within a short time, while in the 17 cases of dichorionic placenta there was no second fetal death. It seems that in cases of monochorionic placenta, the surviving twin is exposed to a more dangerous environment, and death can occur imminently. The management protocol should be based, if possible, on the type of placentation.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014427:Twins