title: D-dimer levels as a predicting factor for DIC following single twin death: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intrauterine death of one twin in the second or third trimester occurs in about 1% of all twin pregnancies. The retention in utero of the dead fetus may be associated with maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a diamniotic monochorionic pregnancy with intrauterine death of the first twin at 24 weeks. The pregnancy reached 33 weeks. In our case although all coagulation factors were within normal limits, D-dimer levels were significantly high, without any evidence though of any clotting problems to the mother.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of D-dimers is practically unknown in multiple pregnancies. It seems that the interpretation of elevated D-dimer levels is still of limited value for prediction or prognosis of thromboembolic complications of multiple pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hippokratio University Hospital, Greece. ange1972@otenet.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daniilidis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sardeli
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tantanasis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dinas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mavromichali
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tzafettas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000097:blood*; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D