Presentation
Follow-up ultrasound for twin pregnancy (GA: 21 weeks and 4 days) with known demise of a twin.
Patient Data
Live, male fetus of about 21 weeks and 4 days by USG, with normal heart activity.
Smaller, skeletal remains of the second fetus.
Case Discussion
Fetus papyraceus (or mummified fetus) is a rare complication with an incidence of 1 in 12. 000 live births seen mainly in twin pregnancies according to the demise of a co-twin in early gestation (usually in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, a twin that dies in the early stages of pregnancy usually disappears completely, while the death of one at the end of a pregnancy results in fetal maceration).
The perished twin is compressed between membranes and the uterine wall, which leads to dessication and a parchment-like appearance, without signs of maceration.
The surviving infant may develop complications due to thrombi and other factors released from the dead fetus.
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