Delayed-Iinterval delivery in dichorionic twin pregnancies: A case report of 154 latency days / Parto diferido emg ravidez gemelar bicoriônica: Um caso com 154 dias de latência

Abstract Premature delivery often complicates multifetal pregnancies, placing neonates at risk of seriousmorbidity andmortality. In select cases, pretermbirth of one sibling may not require delivery of the remaining fetus(es), which may remain in utero for a delayedinterval delivery, consequently improving neonatalmorbidity andmortality. Currently, there is no consensus on the best protocol for the optimalmanagement of these cases. We report one case of delayed-interval delivery of a dichorionic pregnancy assisted in our center. In this case, prophylactic cerclage, tocolytic therapy and administration of broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics enabled delivery at 37 weeks, corresponding to 154 days of latency, which is, to our knowledge, the longest interval described in the literature. The attempt to defer the delivery of the second fetus in peri-viability is an option that should be offered to parents after counseling, providing that the clinical criteria of eligibility are fulfilled. The correct selection of candidates, combined with the correct performance of procedures, as well as fetal and maternal monitoring and early identification of complications increase the probability of success of this type of delivery.

Resumo O parto pré-termo espontâneo complica frequentemente as gestações multifetais, condicionando elevada morbimortalidade perinatal. Em determinados casos, o nascimento prematuro do primeiro feto pode não requerer o nascimento do(s) feto(s) restante(s), que podem permanecer in utero, com o objetivo de diminuir a morbidade e mortalidade neonatal. Atualmente, não existe consenso quanto à melhor atitude clínica nas situações de parto diferido. Descrevemos um caso de parto diferido de gravidez bicoriônica vigiado no nosso centro. Neste caso, a realização de cerclagem, a terapêutica tocolítica e a administração de antibioticoterapia de largo espectro permitiu o parto às 37 semanas do segundo gêmeo, o que corresponde a 154 dias de latência, que, segundo o nosso conhecimento, é o intervalo de diferimento mais longo descrito na literatura. A tentativa de diferir o parto do segundo feto na periviabilidade é uma opção que deve ser oferecida aos progenitores, após aconselhamento e desde que se cumpram os critérios clínicos de elegibilidade. A seleção correta das candidatas, em conjunto com a realização de corretos procedimentos, monitorização fetal e materna e identificação precoce de complicações aumentam a possibilidade de sucesso deste tipo de parto.

Parto diferido o asincrónico del segundo gemelo: un caso clínico con buen desenlace neonatal / Delayed interval delivery or asynchronous birth of the second twin: a case report with a good outcome neonatal

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: El parto diferido o asincrónico ocurre cuando los fetos de un embarazo múltiple nacen con una diferencia de días o semanas. La finalidad es incrementar la edad gestacional del segundo gemelo y aumentar la tasa de supervivencia. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente primigesta de 39 años, con embarazo gemelar bicorial, biamniótico logrado mediante fertilización in vitro. En la semana 23 + 2 acudió a urgencias por sangrado vaginal y dolor abdominal. En la especuloscopia se observó líquido amniótico claro y dilatación cervical de 4-5 cm. El registro cardiotocográfico reportó dinámica uterina franca. En la ecografía se visualizaron dos fetos: el primero en presentación podálica sin latido cardiaco y el segundo en transversa con latido cardiaco. Después del nacimiento del primer gemelo se observó la retracción del cuello uterino y desaparición de la dinámica uterina. El estudio ecográfico mostró la bolsa amniótica íntegra, sin signos de desprendimiento placentario ni pérdida del bienestar fetal. Se propuso a la pareja la posibilidad de realizar un cerclaje cervical y diferir el parto del segundo gemelo, hecho que fue aceptado. Se consiguió prolongar la gestación del segundo gemelo 77 días, que nació mediante parto, sin morbilidad materna ni fetal. CONCLUSIONES: El parto diferido es una práctica adecuada para incrementar la tasa de supervivencia del feto o fetos retenidos. Los protocolos asociados con este tipo de partos son variados. Se requieren estudios adicionales para establecer los criterios de tratamiento de este tipo de partos.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Delayed Interval delivery or asynchronous birth is when a multiple pregnancy`s fetuses are not born simultaneously, and with several day´s difference between their births. This practice´s objective is to increase the second twin´s gestational age and, as such, improve its survival rate. CLINICAL CASE: A 39 years-old patient with bicorial biamniotic twin pregnancy achieved by in vitro fertilization. At 23 + 2 weeks of pregnancy assisted to Emergency service for vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. In the speculoscopy a clear amniotic fluid and cervical dilation of 4-5 cm was observed. The cardiotocographic record reported frank uterine dynamics. In the ultrasound, two files are displayed: the first in the syntax presentation in the heartbeat and the second in the transversal with heartbeat. After the birth of the first twin, retraction of the cervix and the disappearance of uterine dynamics were observed. The ecological study showed the amniotic bag intact, without signs of placental detachment or loss of fetal well-being. It was proposed to the couple the possibility of performing the cervical fence and the other part of the second day, which was accepted. It was possible to prolong the gestation of the second year to 77 days, which was born through childbirth, without registering maternal or fetal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed Interval delivery is a good practice to increase the survival rate of a retained fetus or retained fetuses. The protocols associated with this type of births are varied. Additional studies are required to establish treatment criteria for this type of births.

Possible asynchronous parturition in a multifetal strepsirrhine: Hapalemur meridionalis

Although infrequent among primates, twinning is common among strepsirrhines, a group of primates that includes the lemurs of Madagascar. As with any multifetal pregnancy, complications during gestation or even parturition can arise due to various factors (e.g., amniotic infection, stress). On rare occasions during labour of twins, parturition may be delayed between the two neonates, a phenomenon known as ‘delayed interval delivery’ that has been well-documented among the human medical journals. Based on circumstantial evidence, we report an opportunistic account of a habituated, adult female southern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis) from Mandena, southeast Madagascar, first giving birth to an infant in midOctober 2013 (found deceased), and then birthing a live infant sometime between 5-21 days later. Similar to cases reported in human medical literature, the second infant survived and appeared to stay healthy until the conclusion of the study. Our account of asynchronous parturition of twins in a non-human primate is, to our knowledge, the first reported case in the literature.

Possible asynchronous parturition in a multifetal strepsirrhine: Hapalemur meridionalis

Although infrequent among primates, twinning is common among strepsirrhines, a group of primates that includes the lemurs of Madagascar. As with any multifetal pregnancy, complications during gestation or even parturition can arise due to various factors (e.g., amniotic infection, stress). On rare occasions during labour of twins, parturition may be delayed between the two neonates, a phenomenon known as ‘delayed interval delivery that has been well-documented among the human medical journals. Based on circumstantial evidence, we report an opportunistic account of a habituated, adult female southern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis) from Mandena, southeast Madagascar, first giving birth to an infant in midOctober 2013 (found deceased), and then birthing a live infant sometime between 5-21 days later. Similar to cases reported in human medical literature, the second infant survived and appeared to stay healthy until the conclusion of the study. Our account of asynchronous parturition of twins in a non-human primate is, to our knowledge, the first reported case in the literature.(AU)