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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse
Published on: December 16, 2022
Delayed structural development in an acardiac fetus: an echographic observation
C Van Gaever1, P Defoort, M Dhont
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. cathy_vangaever@hotmail.com
Introduction:
Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) is a rare condition in monozygotic multiple gestations, caused by the formation of large arterio-arterial anastomoses. Only few serial ultrasound observations are reported, showing the delayed development in the recipient twin.
Case:
A monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy with discordant growth was diagnosed at 11 weeks and 4 days in a 28-year-old primigravida. The smaller twin, who first appeared as an amorphic mass, showed growth and developed a clearly recognizable spine and lower limbs in further ultrasound examinations.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates that developmental arrest in acardiac fetuses does not affect the total organism at one time, but that some embryonic fields keep on developing into macroscopically recognizable structures.
