Medical and ethical considerations in twin pregnancies discordant for serious cardiac disease

Abstract

Objective: Prenatal ultrasound has led to the early diagnosis of major anomalies. However, the ready availability of this technology has led to increasing challenges for physicians counseling affected parents, which is all the more difficult in a twin pregnancy with only one affected fetus. This paper reviews the medical and ethical considerations in twin pregnancies discordant for a serious cardiac condition. Study Design: Six recent twin pregnancies discordant for a serious cardiac condition and their outcomes are presented. Options considered in the management of the pregnancy were to continue or terminate the pregnancy, selectively terminate the affected twin or to decide whether to trea..