Expectations and the Patient-Doctor Relationship: Ethical Considerations in a Case of Triploidy

Objectives: Monitoring pregnancies is essential for community well-being. However, not all pregnancies progress normally, and some require termination. The objective was to emphasize the importance of trust in the doctor-patient relationship during this challenging time for expectant parents. Case report: During fetal morphology examination, parents were warned of a poor fetal prognosis, prompting a request for pregnancy termination. They consulted another specialist, who reassured them that the fetus appeared normal, though slightly hypotrophic. The child was born at 35 weeks gestational age and admitted to the neonatal ICU level III in an impaired general condition and polymalformative syndrome (triangular facies, epicanthic eyes, hypertelorism, retrognathia, low base of the nose, triangular mouth, lips angled downward, and small, dysplastic, and low-set earlobes). The child had syndactyly of fingers and toes. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 69, XX, +mar. The indirect DNA analysis revealed that the third gonosome is a Y chromosome. Death occurred 30 days post delivery, following severe dyspnea and bronchial obstruction, with desaturation and bradycardia. Conclusions: Triploid pregnancies are usually lost in the first trimester; however, very rarely, live births can occur. Hope for a positive outcome encouraged parents to continue the pregnancy, leading to a profoundly sorrowful experience and added strain on the healthcare system. Complex decisions put pressure on the patient-doctor relationship, as misplaced hope can impact both parties. Expectant parents facing difficult diagnoses require attentive support during this challenging time, grounded on a foundation of trust between doctor and patient.