Perinatal Care and Outcome of Fetuses with Trisomies 13 and 18 following a Parental Decision Not to Terminate the Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To describe pregnancy outcomes of fetuses affected by trisomies 13 and 18 following prenatal diagnosis and a decision to continue the pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study of 34 cases with a diagnosis or strong suspicion of trisomy 13 or 18. RESULTS: Fourteen of 34 (41%) families chose to continue the pregnancy after a diagnosis of trisomy 13 or 18 was made. Nine fetuses subsequently died in utero (IUD). No prenatal signs were predictive of IUD. There were no intrapartum deaths. All 4 live-born babies were delivered vaginally; 2 died immediately after birth in the labor ward whilst 2 were transferred to the neonatal unit, dying at 10 and 11 days, respectively. DISCUSSION: Couples should be counseled that the precise outcome of trisomy 13 or 18 is unpredictable, and they should receive multidisciplinary support.