Conservative management of twin pregnancies with one dead fetus: is it safe?
BACKGROUND
Fetal death in one of the twins is unusual and the management issue of such a condition is not straightforward.


METHODS
We reviewed the outcomes of nine twin pregnancies with one dead fetus in whom follow-up period exceeded 3 weeks.


RESULTS
The twinning frequency was 8.9 per thousand deliveries and the frequency of subsequent antepartum death of one fetus was found to be 3.8%. The preterm birth rate was 45.5% and the survival rate was 90.1%. The perinatal mortality rate was 12%. Maternal clotting disorder was observed in one patient and treated successfully with heparin.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that these patients are best managed conservatively unless further hazard to the fetus or mother appears.
Zorlu
C G
CG
Clinics of Perinatology, Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Yalçin
H R
HR
Cağlar
T
T
Gökmen
O
O
D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins