Vanished twin and fetal alcohol syndrome in the surviving twin. A case report.
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of twin pregnancy can be made early in pregnancy by ultrasonography (US). Follow-up examination occasionally demonstrates the disappearance of one of the twins.


METHODS
A twin disappeared on US examination; the surviving twin exhibited signs of fetal alcohol syndrome and other congenital anomalies, accompanied by a placental form of fetus papyraceus.


CONCLUSIONS
Early US examination is useful for diagnosing multiple gestation. However, a follow-up examination is required to alert the clinician to the disappearance of one twin. Careful examination of the placenta may document fetal remnants. In this case a small, atretic nodule on the placental surface was evidence of the vanished twin.
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008260:Macroglossia / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal