Prenatal diagnosis of ectopia cordis in a twin fetus

We report images of the 7th case worldwide of a twin fetus with a complete isolated ectopia cordis in a dichorionic diamniotic twin gestation. There is no consanguinity, family history of abnormalities, IVF, or first trimester medication. The diagnosis of this isolated anomaly was done at 23  weeks in one fetus, while the other had normal morphology; the pregnancy was complicated by preterm labor and a cesarean delivery followed at 34 weeks. The affected baby weighed 1800 g and had an outcome complicated by episodes of desaturation and deceased at day 8. Parents did not wish either i n utero termination of pregnancy or postnatal surgery for reintegration in the thorax and chose instead palliative care.
Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research