# An Unusual Case of Severe Pre-eclampsia and Pulmonary Edema Following Single Fetal Demise in an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)-Conceived Twin Gestation: A Twisted Tale of Twins

**Authors:** Smruti A Mapari, Deepti Shrivastava, Gautam N Bedi, Paschyanti R Kasat

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54338 · Cureus · 2024-02-16

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare instance where a twin pregnancy led to severe health issues after one fetus died, highlighting a gap in obstetric research.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in documenting a unique case of pre-eclampsia and pulmonary edema following fetal demise in a twin gestation, with limited prior literature.

## Key findings

- A single fetal death at 24 weeks led to severe maternal hypertension and pulmonary edema.
- No exact matches were found in peer-reviewed literature for this specific clinical presentation.
- The case highlights a gap in understanding complications following fetal demise in twin pregnancies.

## Abstract

There has been a notable rise in instances of multiple-fetus pregnancies over the last decade, attributed to the widespread adoption of assisted reproductive technologies. Moreover, these pregnancies have been associated with the use of drugs to induce ovulation. While some cases involve the loss of one twin with minimal consequences for the surviving twin, the demise of a fetus after the first trimester, especially beyond three months into the pregnancy, can significantly impact the health of both the mother and the surviving fetus. Unfavorable outcomes linked to the loss of one twin after the first trimester include impaired physical growth of the surviving fetus, preterm delivery, neurological abnormalities, and, in certain instances, the death of the surviving twin. This report provides a detailed account of a specific case involving twin pregnancies where a single fetal death occurred at the 24th week of gestation, leading to severe pregnancy-induced hypertension and pulmonary edema. Upon reviewing peer-reviewed articles related to similar cases in online databases, no exact matches were identified for cases with a comparable presentation. The scarcity of literature on the development of pre-eclampsia following the death of a single fetus suggests a gap in obstetric research in this area. Consequently, the uniqueness of this case report arises from its distinctive circumstances and the limited existing literature on the subject within the obstetric community.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** pre-eclampsia (MONDO:0005081), pulmonary edema (MONDO:0006932)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Pre-eclampsia (MESH:D011225), Demise (MESH:D005313), Pulmonary Edema (MESH:D011654), preterm delivery (MESH:D047928), neurological abnormalities (MESH:D009461), hypertension (MESH:D006973)

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC10945159/full.md

## References

11 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC10945159/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC10945159