Fetus Papyraceous: A Rare Clinical Entity in Dichorionic-Diamniotic Twin Pregnancy

Abstract

Fetus papyraceous, a high order pregnancy complication with an incidence of 1:12,000 pregnancies and 1:200 in twin pregnancies, is a rare condition in which an intrauterine death of one fetus occurs causing mechanical compression over a period. The most concern for the pregnant woman remains the status of the life fetus and any unforeseeable complications. Genetically, the cause is unknown but may be related to poor antenatal screening, low socioeconomic status and certain maternal co-morbidities. Rarely, it could result in intrauterine death of the surviving twin, preterm labor, coagulopathy, obstructed labor and postpartum hemorrhage. Hereto, we present a case of a 37-year-old female Gravida 3 Para 2(1 dead), with dichorionic-diamniotic twins who developed fetal papyraceous of one twin.