THE "VANISHING TWIN" SYNDROME - A MYTH OR CLINICAL REALITY IN THE OBSTETRIC PRACTICE?

Abstract

Background: A case of triplets pregnancy after IVF ET, ended with a spontaneous reduction of one of the fetuses. The patient was with secondary infertility, with two unsuccessful preceding IVF Procedures and reduced ovarian reserve. A short flare up protocol with recombinant FSH was performed and three embryos were transferred on day three. An intrauterine pregnancy and three gestational sacs with CA (cardiac activity) were visualized via transvaginal ultrasonography by the twenty-first day. After the patient refused to go through an embrioreduction, during a routine sonography by the fourteenth week, the death of one fetus was reported. The pregnancy was finalized with the Cesarean delivery of two newborn in good health by thirty- seventh week. During the regular examination of the placentas, a mummified fetus -fetus papyraceus was found Objective: To report a case of "Vanishing Twin" syndrome. Design: Case report. Methods: Clinical presentation, examination and ultrasound were consistent with diagnosis “Vanishing Twin” syndrome. Conclusion: The frequency of multi fetal births considerably increased after ART.

Keywords

• vanishing twin syndrome
• fetus papyraceus