Neurological impairment in a surviving twin following intrauterine fetal demise of the co-twin: a case study.
It has been established that twin pregnancies are at an increased risk for complications, including the risk of morbidity or mortality for one or both of the infants. Cerebral palsy and other associated neurological deficits also occur at higher rates in twin pregnancies. This report examines two cases of intrauterine demise of one twin with subsequent survival of the co-twin. In both cases, the surviving infant suffered significant neurological sequelae. Impairments observed in these two cases include multicystic encephalomalacia and periventricular leukomalacia as well as the subsequent development of cerebral palsy. This case study explores the predisposing factors, incidence, pathophysiology, consequences, and future research implications of these findings.
Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
K R
KR
Forrester
K M
KM
Keegan
J W
JW
Schmidt
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D014427:Twins; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
Encephalomalacia; cerebral palsy; monochorionic; multiple gestation; periventricular leukomalacia