The situation began last September when Wang conceived naturally, according to Sina on 5/1. During three consecutive prenatal check-ups at Fushun Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Children in November, ultrasound results continuously changed, first revealing a single fetus, then twins, and then triplets. By December, during a check-up at Shenyang Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Children, doctors confirmed she was carrying quadruplets.
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Ultrasound results after each check-up revealed an additional fetus for Wang. Jimu News
However, the family's joy was accompanied by significant medical concerns when doctors discovered the 4th fetus had twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP). Diagnostic images showed this fetal mass was malformed, lacking a head and heart, and missing limbs, yet it survived by "borrowing" blood from the three healthy fetuses through a shared vascular system. The mother is currently 16 weeks pregnant, and her health has stabilized after a period of severe morning sickness. Delivery is expected next May. The family plans to visit major hospitals in Shanghai and Anhui for in-depth tests and to find solutions for the complications.
The Head of Obstetrics at a leading hospital in Hubei noted this is an exceptionally rare case of identical quadruplets, with a probability of only about one in 13 million to one in 15 million cases. Unlike fraternal multiple pregnancies, Wang's case involves four fetuses developing from a single egg and sharing one placenta.
Experts warn that the greatest current risk is the malformed fetal mass continuously drawing nutrients, which could lead to anemia and congenital heart failure in the remaining fetuses. Modern medicine offers interventions such as laser surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to cut off the blood supply to the malformed fetal mass. However, doctors advise that all fetal reduction procedures carry the risk of complete miscarriage, necessitating strict monitoring of the patient at leading medical facilities.
Binh Minh (According to Sina, Jimu News)
