Vanishing twin
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{{expert-subject|Medicine}}
{{Infobox_Disease
| Name = Vanishing twin
| Image =
| Caption =
| DiseasesDB = 31893
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|O|31|2|o|31}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|651.33}}
| ICDO =
| OMIM =
| MedlinePlus =
| eMedicineSubj = med
| eMedicineTopic = 3411
| MeshID =
}}
A '''vanishing twin''' is a [[fetus]] in a multi-gestation pregnancy which dies [[in utero]] and is then partially or completely reabsorbed by the mother {{Harv|Landy|Weiner|Corson|Batzer|1986}}.
The occurrence of this phenomenon is sometimes referred to as '''twin embolisation syndrome''' or '''vanishing twin syndrome''' (VTS), since the 1980s when twin pregnancies were made visible early on by means of [[sonography|ultrasound]].
Occasionally, rather than being completely resorbed, the dead fetus will undergo [[mechanical compression]] by its wombmate(s), resulting in a flattened, parchment-like state known as ''fetus papyraceus'' {{Harv|Pelega|Ferber|Orvieto|Bar-Hava|1988}}.
If the fetus is absorbed completely, there are usually no further complications to the pregnancy, other than first trimester [[vaginal bleeding]] {{Harv|Saidi|1988}}. However, if the event occurs in the second or third trimester, serious complications may include premature labor, infection due to the demise of the fetus, and hemorrhage. Even at the end of the pregnancy, a low-lying fetus papyraceus may block the cervix and require a [[cesarean section|cesarean]] to deliver the living twin.
The vanished twin can die owing to a poorly implanted [[placenta]], a developmental anomaly that may cause major organs to fail or be missing completely, or there may be a [[chromosome]] abnormality incompatible with life. Frequently the twin is a [[blighted ovum]], one that never developed beyond the very earliest stages of [[embryogenesis]].
==Frequency==
According to Charles {{Harvcoltxt|Boklage|1995}}, a professor in the Department of [[Pediatrics]] in the [[Brody School of Medicine]] and adjunct professor of biology at [[East Carolina University]], vanishing twins occur in up to one out of every eight pregnancies and may not even be known in most cases.
However, Patricia J. Sulak, M.D. has reported otherwise. "In reporting 300 early pregnancies evaluated by means of ultrasound noted 21 twins, one triplet, and one quadruplet. Only three pairs of twins survived to term (85.6% loss of the second twin), whereas the triplet pregnancy evolved into a normal twin gestation, and the quadruplet pregnancy reported here also evolved into a singleton gestation. Additionally, the triplet pregnancy reported here also evolved into a pregnancy diagnosed by means of ultrasound that evolved into a twin gestation. These very high resorption rates, which cannot be explained on the basis of the expected abortion rate, again suggest intense fetal competition for space, nutrition, or other factors during early gestation, with frequent loss or resorption of the other twin(s)." Multiple gestation occurs at 7.6% in this particular study, and vanishing syndrome effect occurs within 85.6%. Therefore 6.88% of the 300 pregnancies experienced vanishing twin syndrome. Thus it seems more likely that VTS occurs 19.68 pregnancies out of 300, or about six out of every hundred pregnancies.
† Article 7: The Vanishing Twin: pathologic Confirmation of an Ultrasonographic Phenomenon
Sulak, M.D., L., Dodson, M.D., M.
Since it is hypothesized that in some instances vanishing twins leave no detectable trace at birth or before, it is impossible to say for certain how frequent the phenomenon is. It was hypothesized for a long time that non-right-handed and left-handed individuals may be the survivors of "mirror image" identical twinning {{Harv|Newman|1928}}.
"Vanishing" twins are frequently encountered in pregnancies created as a result of [[IVF]]. Ultrasound scans are taken very early in these pregnancies (5-8 weeks), so that, where a multiple conception has occurred, it frequently happens that more than one amniotic sac can be seen in early pregnancy, whereas a few weeks later there is only one to be seen and the other has "vanished" {{Harv|Jauniaux|Elkazen|Leroy|Wilkin|1988}}.
<!-- Hayton is what one might charitably deem a "quack". If a more reliable source can be found, then feel free to un-hide this portion - but until then, honestly now.
==Indicators of a possible lost twin==
From {{Harvcoltxt|Hayton|2006}}:
# Drugs to stimulate ovulation
# Extra large around the waist in [[first trimester]] of pregnancy
# [[Vaginal bleeding]] in the first trimester
# [[Ultrasound]] images of a vanishing twin
# [[Trauma]] in [[pregnancy]] such as an accident, an [[infection]], surgical treatment or extreme [[emotional stress]].
# A [[breech birth]]
# An unusual [[placenta]] - ie, double / extra large/ extra thick or fragmented
# Attachments to placenta such as additional [[umbilical cord]]s or [[amniotic sac]]s
# The [[fetus papyraceus]]
# [[Teratoma#Fetus in fetu|Fetus in fetu]]
# [[Teratoma]]
# [[Situs inversus|Mirrored organs]]/[[left-handedness]] a surviving "mirror" twin
# Split organs, additional bones
# Uncertain [[sexuality]] or [[gender confusion]]
# Genetic [[chimera]]
# [[Cerebral palsy]]
# Congenital anomalies -->
==Miscellaneous==
It has been speculated that the children born of such a pregnancy may have some memories of their [[Twinless twins|vanished twins]], and may feel lonely because of this {{Harv|Hayton|2006}}. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Talk shows, such as [[Coast to Coast AM]], have discussed the alleged phenomenon.
The vanishing twin syndrome has been cited by biotech company Acu-Gen as an [[ad hoc hypothesis]] to explain false results of the company's [[Baby Gender Mentor]] test. According to the company, on occasions where their pregnancy gender test has apparently given the incorrect gender of the fetus, the apparent mistake can be explained by a fetus having been present at the time of testing, but later being reabsorbed as a vanished twin. According to the company's critics, this excuse does not seem plausible.
==See also==
* [[Chimera (genetics)]]
* [[Parasitic twin]]
* [[Cerebral palsy]]
==References==
*{{Citation | last=Boklage | first=C.E. | year=1995 | contribution=Chapter 4:The frequency and survivability of natural twin conceptions | editor-last=Keith | editor-first=Louis G. | editor2-last=Papiernik | editor2-first=Emile | editor3-last=Keith | editor3-first=Donald M. | editor4-last=Luke | editor4-first=Barbara | title=Multiple Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Gestation and Perinatal Outcome | edition=1st | place=New York | publisher=Taylor & Francis Group | pages=pp. 41-2, 49 | isbn=978-1850706663}}
*{{Citation | year=2006 | editor-last=Hayton | editor-first=Althea | title=Untwinned; perspectives on the death of a twin before birth | place=St Albans, England | publisher=Wren Publications | isbn=978-0952565499}}
*{{Citation | last=Jauniaux | first=E. | last2=Elkazen | first2=N. | last3=Leroy | first3=F. | last4=Wilkin | first4=P. | year=1988 | title=Clinical and morphologic aspects of the vanishing twin phenomenon | periodical=Obstetrics & Gynecology | volume=72 | issue=4 | pages=577-581 | id=PMID 3047607}}
*{{Citation | last=Landy | first=H.J. | last2=Weiner | first2=S. | last3=Corson | first3=S.L. | last4=Batzer | first4=F.R. | year=1986 | title=The "vanishing twin": ultrasonographic assessment of fetal disappearance in the first trimester | periodical=Am J Obstet Gynecol | volume=155 | issue=1 | pages=14-19 | id=PMID 3524235}}
*{{Citation | last=Medland | first=Sarah E. | last2=Wright | first2=M.J. | last3=Geffen | first3=G.M. | last4=Hay | first4=D.A. | year=2003 | title=Special Twin Environments, Genetic Influences and their Effects on the Handedness of Twins and their Siblings | periodical=Twin Research | volume=6 | issue=2 | pages=119-130 | id=PMID 12723998}}
*{{Citation | last=Newman | first=H.H. | year=1928 | title=Studies Of Human Twins II. Asymmetry Reversal, of Mirror Imaging in Identical Twins | periodical=Biological Bulletin | volume=55 | pages=298-315 | url=http://www.biolbull.org/cgi/reprint/55/4/298 |format=PDF |accessdate=[[2007-06-03]]}}
*{{Citation | last=Pelega | first=D. | last2=Ferber | first2=A. | last3=Orvieto | first3=R. | last4=Bar-Hava | first4=I. | year=1988 | title=Single intrauterine fetal death (fetus papyraceus) due to uterine trauma in a twin pregnancy | periodical=European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology | volume=80 | issue=2 | pages=175-176 | id=PMID 9846663}}
*{{Citation | last=Saidi | first=M.H. | year=1988 | title=First-trimester bleeding and the vanishing twin. A report of three cases | periodical=J Reprod Med | volume=33 | issue=10 | pages=831-4 | id=PMID 3057206}}
==Further reading==
*{{Citation | last=Landy | first=H.J. | last2=Keith | first2=L.G. | year=1998 | title=The vanishing twin: a review | periodical=Human Reproduction Update | volume=4 | issue=2 | pages=177-183 | id=PMID 9683354 |url=http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/4/2/177 |format=PDF |accessdate=[[2007-06-03]]}}
*{{Citation | last=Pharoah | first=Peter O. | last2=Price | first2=T.S. | last3=Plomin | first3=R. | year=2002 | title=Cerebral palsy in twins: a national study | periodical=Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition | volume=87 | issue=2 | pages=F122-4 | id=PMID 12193519 |url=http://fn.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/87/2/F122 |format=PDF |accessdate=[[2007-06-03]]}} (Online version required free registration)
*{{Citation | last=Pharoah | first=Peter O. | year=2005 | title=Causal Hypothesis for Some Congenital Anomalies | periodical=Twin Research and Human Genetics | volume=8 | issue=6 | pages=543-550 | id=PMID 16354495}}
==External links==
*[http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3411.htm Vanishing twin at eMedicine.com]
*[http://www.wombtwin.com/index.html Wombtwin survivors research and support]
*[http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/14twin.htm Vanishing twin occurrence in India]
*[http://www.vanishingtwin.com Articles about vanishing twin phenomenon]
*[http://www.thefetus.net/page.php?id=318 Photographic evidence of a vanished twin found on the placenta after delivery of the surviving twin]
*[http://medical-legal-interface.com/December2003newsletter.pdf LNC Newsletter - Vanishing Twin Syndrome and Fetus Papyraceus]
*[http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/4/2/177.pdf A review in Human Reproduction Update]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed 50 articles about vanishing twin phenomenon in PubMed]
*[http://www.thefetus.net/page.php?id=296 Article by Kramer with useful references]
[[Category:Obstetrics]]
[[Category:Twins]]