Single intrauterine death in twin pregnancy: Evidenced-based counselling and management

Abstract

Twins have a significantly higher risk of stillbirth, preterm delivery, perinatal morbidity and mortality. Single intrauterine fetal death is a relatively common and devastating occurrence for families and clinicians alike. Monochorionic twins are up to 13 times more likely to suffer an intrauterine death when compared to singletons. Additionally, longer term neurological sequelae affect monochorionic twins disproportionately. The timing of the death of the co-twin and the fetal order at the time of death have an impact on the outcome for the survivor. The risk in dichorionic pregnancies is lower with respect to neurological injury; however, the risk of prematurity remains high, particularly where the leading twin dies in utero. Recent published studies report lower rates of neurological injury in monochorionic twin pregnancies that incur an intrauterine fetal death after foetoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome - an important finding for patient counselling. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Single intrauterine fetal death in twins is a relatively common and devastating occurrence for families and clinicians alike. Adhering to collegiate guidelines will likely reduce but not eliminate the incidence of SIUD in twins.

Keywords: Fetal death; Multiple pregnancy; Single intrauterine death (SIUD) in twins; Stillbirth twins.