A Clinical Study of Twin Pregnancies with One Fetal Demise

Seo, Jung Lae; Kim, Young Suk

Abstract

One fetal demise of twin pregnancy in the second or third trimester is an unusual and difficult problem in the managemcnt of pregnancy. It can be associated with an increased risk for mortality and morbidity in the remaining fetus and with maternal DIC. 255 twin gestations were delivered at our hospital between December 1984 and August 1998. 8 cases of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise were observed. We reviewed 8 cases of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise that had been managed conservatively. The incidence of twin pregnancies with one fetal demise was 3.14% in the study population. The incidence of preterm delivery was 87.5%. The perinatal mortality rate of surviving twins was 25%. There were no cases of maternal disseminated intravascular coagulation or infection. There were no cases of neurologic damages in the surviving twins. The main cause of neonatal death was prematurity. An expectant approach to the twin pregnancies with one fetal demise seems reasonable.