Table of contents:
- What is vanishing twin syndrome?
- What causes twins to disappear from the womb?
- What are the signs and symptoms of vanishing twin syndrome?
- Who is at risk of experiencing complications of getting pregnant with twins?
- How is vanishing twin syndrome detected by a doctor?
- Are there any health risks to the mother and twin who survive this complication?
Of course it feels absurdly nice to know that you are pregnant with twins. But it turns out, hammering the hammer too early to formalize a twin pregnancy can turn detrimental. About 20-30 percent of mothers who are pregnant with twins worldwide experience vanishing twin syndrome, a pregnancy complication that makes one of the twins disappear without a trace in the womb.
What is vanishing twin syndrome?
Vanishing twin syndrome is a complication of multiple pregnancies, first discovered in 1945. And since the trend of early ultrasound examinations to become routine early prenatal care, the incidence rate of the phenomenon of "missing twins" recorded in medical records has reportedly doubled.
The loss of twins during pregnancy usually occurs in the first trimester, often before the mother even finds out that she is carrying twins. Before six weeks of gestation, your ultrasound scan will not show much activity in the womb. Scans before six weeks of age are considered too early to detect embryos. It is also too early to see the yolk sac, which provides the embryo's first nutrition, or the baby's heartbeat.
The new embryo can be seen after the gestational age is past six weeks, and even then it is still only 3 millimeters. On the other hand, an early ultrasound scan is the only way to confirm multiple pregnancies from the very beginning of pregnancy.
Vanishing twin syndrome occurs when an initial ultrasound scan reveals multiple pregnancies, but in the end only one baby is seen on subsequent ultrasound scans. Basically, vanishing twin syndrome is a miscarriage of one of the twins in the womb. The dead fetal tissue is then absorbed by its twin, the placenta, or reabsorbed by the mother's body. This is what gives the impression that the baby has disappeared in the womb.
What causes twins to disappear from the womb?
In most cases, the cause of vanishing twin syndrome is unknown. Probably, fetal abnormalities that were present early in development have contributed to the disappearance of one of the twins, and not simply as a sudden occurrence.
Analyzes of placenta and / or fetal tissue often show chromosomal abnormalities in missing twins, whereas surviving twins are usually healthy. Improper umbilical cord implantation can also be the cause.
What are the signs and symptoms of vanishing twin syndrome?
Often, this phenomenon of missing twins does not show any significant symptoms until the next ultrasound examination. However, some women may show symptoms similar to miscarriage (mild abdominal cramps, vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain), even though the ultrasound results show a healthy baby in the womb.
Who is at risk of experiencing complications of getting pregnant with twins?
Researchers report there are more cases of vanishing twin syndrome in pregnant women who are older than 30 years. However, this may be because older mothers generally have higher rates of multiple pregnancies, especially with the use of fertility drugs.
How is vanishing twin syndrome detected by a doctor?
Prior to the use of ultrasound, the diagnosis of multiple deaths was made through examination of the placenta after delivery. With the availability of early ultrasound scans, the presence of a pair of twins or more than one fetus can be detected during the first trimester. Follow-up ultrasound can reveal the "missing" twin.
For example, you may have an ultrasound at 6 or 7 weeks pregnant. Doctors find two fetuses, and then tell you that you are pregnant with twins. When you return for your next prenatal visit, only one heartbeat can be heard with the Doppler. Once a follow-up ultrasound was performed, only one fetus was visible on the scan results.
Are there any health risks to the mother and twin who survive this complication?
If vanishing twin syndrome is detected in the first trimester, the pregnancy can continue as usual without any clinical symptoms that are detrimental to both the mother and the baby who survived. No special medical care is required for either the mother or the baby who survives to treat the baby's disappearance syndrome early in pregnancy.
If the death of one fetus is found in the second or third trimester, the pregnancy can be considered high risk. There is an increased risk to a living fetus, including a higher rate of cerebral palsy.
When one of the twins dies after the embryo formation period (starting from conception to the 10th week of pregnancy), the amniotic fluid and placental tissue from the twins can be reabsorbed, either by the placenta, the mother's body, or the living twin. This resulted in the deceased twin being flattened due to the great pressure from the surviving twin.
At delivery, a deceased fetus can be identified as a fetal compressor (quite flattened but still visible to the naked eye) or as a papyraceous fetus (a flat, paper-thin body condition due to loss of fluid and most of the soft tissue).
Regardless, women pregnant with twins should seek medical attention immediately if they experience bleeding, cramps, and pelvic pain. Ultrasound can be used to determine that a lost fetus is really dead before deciding whether a miscarriage can be curetted.
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