Acardiac fetus in a triplet pregnancy: ultrasound pitfalls. A case report

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2000 Mar;89(1):75-80. doi: 10.1016/s0301-2115(99)00170-0.

Abstract

This communication aims at illustrating ultrasound diagnostic difficulties in early pregnancy with acardiac fetus. Our case concerns a spontaneously conceived triplet pregnancy. It was diagnosed as a twin pregnancy at 11 weeks of amenorrhea. One and a half months later the patient was referred to our center for spontaneous premature rupture of membranes with the diagnosis of a fetal demise in a triplet pregnancy. The definite diagnosis of acardia was assessed sonographically by the presence of a reverse blood flow through the umbilical cord, reflex movements, limbs anomalies and discordance between femoral and crown-rump length. Two days after admission, the patient developed chorioamnionitis and the three fetuses were expelled.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorioamnionitis / etiology
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / complications
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Triplets*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*