Short-term prognosis of the co-twin who survives after single intrauterine fetal demise

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the short-term prognosis of the co-twin who survives after single intrauterine fetal demise (sIUFD). Methods A total of 52 infants who survived after sIUFD were enrolled as the case group, and 104 twins, matched for gestational age, from a pair of live-born twins without sIUFD were enrolled as the control group. Related clinical data were compared between the two groups. Results Among the 52 infants who survived after sIUFD, 42 (80.8%) were preterm infants, 13 (25.0%) had brain injury, and 3 (5.8%) died in the neonatal period. Compared with the control group, the case group had significantly higher incidence rates of meconium stained amniotic fluid/bloody amniotic fluid/polyhydramnios/hypamnion, torsion of cord/nuchal cord, and placenta previa/placenta abruption, as well as significantly higher incidence rates of birth asphyxia, anemia or polycythemia at birth, and coagulation disorder at birth (P < 0.05). The case group also had significantly higher incidence rates of nosocomial infection and brain injury than the control group during hospitalization (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is an increase in the incidence rate of complications in the co-twin who survives after sIUFD. Prenatal evaluation and long-term follow-up should be performed for the surviving co-twin.