Vanishing twin syndrome
Vanishing twin syndrome is a term used to define a situation in which one of a set of twin pregnancies disappears in the uterus during the early stages of pregnancy. The fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother, giving the appearance of a "vanishing twin".
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of vanishing twin syndrome is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to chromosomal abnormalities. These abnormalities could be due to a variety of factors, including advanced maternal age, previous miscarriages, or issues with the placenta or umbilical cord.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Vanishing twin syndrome is typically diagnosed through an ultrasound examination. In the early stages of pregnancy, multiple fetuses may be detected. However, in a later ultrasound, one of the fetuses may no longer be visible. This is often the first indication of vanishing twin syndrome.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
In many cases, vanishing twin syndrome is asymptomatic, meaning that the mother does not experience any symptoms. However, in some cases, the mother may experience symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or a decrease in pregnancy symptoms.
Complications[edit | edit source]
While vanishing twin syndrome itself is not typically harmful to the remaining fetus, it can occasionally lead to complications. These can include preterm labor, infection, or hemorrhaging. In some cases, the surviving twin may experience developmental issues as a result of the syndrome.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
There is no specific treatment for vanishing twin syndrome. Care is typically focused on ensuring the health and well-being of the surviving twin and the mother. This can include regular ultrasound examinations, blood tests, and close monitoring of the mother's health.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for the surviving twin in a vanishing twin syndrome pregnancy is generally good. However, the surviving twin may be at a slightly increased risk of cerebral palsy and other developmental issues.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Vanishing twin syndrome Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
