title: Twin trisomies-Edward and Patau syndromes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the rare occurrence of dichorionic diamniotic twins with dissimilar aneuploidies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  District general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 36-year-old woman conceived by in vitro fertilization. Dichorionic diamniotic twins were found to have elevated nuchal translucencies and cystic hygromas. Intrauterine deaths occurred at 13 and 17 weeks gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical termination of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Karyotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytogenetic studies confirmed Edward's and Patau's syndromes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aetiology is unknown but maternal age and in vitro fertilization may be linked since the incidence of aneuploidy rises with maternal age and the incidence of twins' increases with assisted reproductive techniques. This case highlights the need for obstetricians to have good communication and counselling skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Furness General Hospital, Barrow in Furness, United Kingdom. nsmassiah@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Massiah
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bamigboye
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D048208:Nuchal Translucency Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D013577:Syndrome; D014314:Trisomy; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*