Reversal of Ballantyne's syndrome by selective fetal termination in a twin pregnancy

• Published in: Journal de gynécologie, obstétrique et biologie de la reproduction Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 88 - 92
• Main Authors: Delaby, B, Lanta-Delmas, S, Gondry, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.02.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Diseases in Twins - complications; Female; Fetal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Gestational Age; Heart Defects, Congenital - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Hydrops Fetalis - diagnostic imaging; Pre-Eclampsia - etiology; Pre-Eclampsia - therapy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal; Syndrome; Twins; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• ISSN: 0368-2315
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2007.08.011

We describe Ballantyne's syndrome, a severe clinical materno-fetal entity, a pre-eclampsia-like disease. We report the case of a woman with twin pregnancy presenting a Ballantyne's syndrome. Ultrasound examination at 22 weeks of gestation (wg), found heart abnormalities for one of the fetus. The ultrasonographic supervision revealed a fetal hydrops and at 28 wg a generalized maternal edema picture occurred. At this time, a Ballantyne's syndrome was suspected. A selective fetal termination of the affected twin was performed leading to a complete reversal of clinical and biochemical maternal picture, allowing the continuance of the pregnancy until 32 wg. Our article illustrates that when the diagnosis of Ballantyne's syndrome is quickly suspected and a treatable cause can be found, it allows sometimes a prenatal management and improves the materno-fetal prognosis.