[Reversal of Ballantyne's syndrome by selective fetal termination in a twin pregnancy]

Abstract

Objectives: We describe Ballantyne's syndrome, a severe clinical materno-fetal entity, a pre-eclampsia-like disease.

Materials and methods: We report the case of a woman with twin pregnancy presenting a Ballantyne's syndrome. Ultrasound examination at 22 weeks of gestation (wg), found heart abnormalities for one of the fetus. The ultrasonographic supervision revealed a fetal hydrops and at 28 wg a generalized maternal edema picture occurred. At this time, a Ballantyne's syndrome was suspected.

Results: A selective fetal termination of the affected twin was performed leading to a complete reversal of clinical and biochemical maternal picture, allowing the continuance of the pregnancy until 32 wg.

Conclusion: Our article illustrates that when the diagnosis of Ballantyne's syndrome is quickly suspected and a treatable cause can be found, it allows sometimes a prenatal management and improves the materno-fetal prognosis.