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Case Reports
. 2015 Nov;13(11):729-32.

Conjoined twins in a monochorionic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: a case report

Marzieh Talebian  1 , Fatemeh Rahimi-Sharbaf  1 , Mahboobeh Shirazi  1 , Batool Teimoori  2 , Narges Izadi-Mood  3 , Soheila Sarmadi  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Conjoined twins in a monochorionic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: a case report

Marzieh Talebian et al. Iran J Reprod Med. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Monozygotic monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined twins is a very rare condition and is associated with many complications.

Case: In this study, we describe a monochorionic-diamniotic triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization with an intracytoplasmic sperm injection. At a gestational age of 6 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy one gestational sac was observed, and at a gestational age of 12 weeks and 2 days, triplets with conjoined twins were diagnosed. After consulting with the parents, they chose fetal reduction of the conjoined twins. Selective feticide was successfully performed by radiofrequency ablation at 16 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, the day after the procedure, the membrane ruptured, and 1 week later, all fetuses and placenta were spontaneously aborted.

Conclusion: Monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined twins is very rare. These pregnancies are associated with very serious complications. Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection increases the rate of monozygotic twinning and conjoined twins. Counseling with parents before IVF is very important.

Keywords: Conjoined twins; Monochorionic-Diamniotic; Radiofrequency ablation; Triplet pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conjoined fetuses at gestational age of 12 weeks and 3 days.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Conjoined fetuses at gestational age of 16 weeks.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Monochorionic-diamniotic placentation, right normal fetus, left conjoined fetuses with two head and neck, single thorax and abdomen and two upper and two lower limbs
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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