A Case of Twin Pregnancy with One Anencephalic Fetus.

Jeong, Mi Young; Lee, Jee Hyun; Park, In Yang; Kwon, In; Moon, Hee Bong; Yi, Chong Seung; Shin, Jong Chul; Rha, Jong Gu; Kim, Soo Pyung

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002;45(4):709-713.
Published online April 1, 2002.

A Case of Twin Pregnancy with One Anencephalic Fetus.

Mi Young Jeong, Jee Hyun Lee, In Yang Park, In Kwon, Hee Bong Moon, Chong Seung Yi, Jong Chul Shin, Jong Gu Rha, Soo Pyung Kim

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Congenital anomalies occur in 2-3% of neonates but this incidence increases in multiple pregnancies, especially when fetuses are monozygotic. when pregnancies are affected with one anomalous fetus combined to a normal one, the proper management and counseling is difficult.We experienced a twin pregnancy in which one anencephalic fetus was combined to a normal one. Karyotype analysis was normal in both fetus. After close counseling we decided to continue the pregnancy. Intermittent amnioreduction was done for persistent polyhydramnios. At 29 weeks of gestation membrane was ruptured prematurely and we delivered by cesarean section due to breech-cephalic presentation. The birth weight of the normal and anencephalic fetuses were 1070 gm and 1050 gm, respectively. The anencephalic fetus died immediately after birth but the healthy one showed good crying and movement and its Apgar score was 6 in 1 minute and 8 in 5 minute. Although the infant needed intensive care for 90 days in the nursery room finally discharged in good condition. We report a case of twin pregnancy in which anencephaly was associated with a normal fetus, so after close counseling we opted to continue the pregnancy resulting in the delivery of a viable fetus.

Key Words: twin, anencephaly, amnioreduction