[Twin pregnancy with intrauterine death of one fetus: maternal and neonatal outcome of surviving fetus].

BACKGROUND

happens in the womb when the death of one of the twins, it is necessary to consider the factors that influence the perinatal outcome of surviving fetus.

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcome of twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal intrauterine death and how it can increase morbidity to its co-twin and its mother.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the fifty one twin pregnancies complicated by single fetal intrauterine death in the second or third trimester in our centre from December 1999 to December 2010.

RESULTS

Of the total amount of 1996 twin pregnancies attended in our centre, 51 were complicated by single fetal intrauterine death (2.5%). In 68.7% of the cases we found several maternal complications, such as 12.2% of preeclampsia and 12% of coagulopathies. As for the dead foetus, there was a 47% of malformations, a 19.6% of intrauterine fetal growth restriction and there was a 9.8% of cases complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome. In the group of the surviving co-twin, 9.8% developed intrauterine growth restriction, 9.8% oligohydramnios and 9.8% Doppler alterations. There was a high risk of prematurity with 43.1% of the births under 34 weeks and 13.7% under 30 weeks of pregnancy. The percentage of caesarean was 64.7%. There was 3 cases of co-twin died intra-uterus, and one more died postpartum. A 10% of the newborns had some kind of neurological disability.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that surviving co-twin prognosis is mainly compromised by prematurity and its consequences. There should be more prospective research to inform decision-making and evaluate and control the potential maternal and fetal risks.