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What Is The Life Span Of The Fetus With Edwards Syndrome?

Posted on Tue, 13 Dec 2016

Question: Hi doctor,

I'm 34 weeks pregnant, suffering from polyhydramnious and my baby had been diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome.

I understand that this condition would result to severe brain and physical defects in the baby when born.The baby had also been diagnosed with esophegeal atresia and has a flat occiput.

Can I know what is the usual lifespan of babies who are born with this rare condition?

Also, is it ok that my doctor had requested me for an induced birth at 36 weeks. Should it be much earlier or later than that?

Thank-you.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is very difficult to predict life expectancy of the baby.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Thanks for trusting hcm about your health care.
I have gone through your history and understand your concerns and feel sorry about it.

It is difficult to predict the life expectancy of baby with this rare syndrome if he is not having any problems.

Usually half of the infants do not survive after first week of life.

Median lifespan is 5-15 days, about 8% infant survive for one year and only 1% survive 10 years of age.

Yes you can go for induced delivery.

Hope found useful, feel free to ask more information.
Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (29 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX

Thank-you for your reply.

Just to clarify again on the induced delivery, whether it would be preferable for the induction to be done at 37 weeks or later instead of 36 weeks to ensure the baby is fully developed even though considering the condition she has?

Is induced delivery at 36 weeks still considered pre-term labour?

Please advise on what should be the usual period for most labour to occur? At 37 weeks, 38 or 39 weeks? At which week is still considered pre-term labour?

Thank-you.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Before 37 weeks it is considered preterm labour.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Sorry for the delay in my response.

Induction before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered preterm labor.

In your case, they might suggest it because of the condition of baby because lungs are mature after 34 weeks.

But yes, induction at 36 weeks is considered preterm but as your baby condition they suggest you the same.

Hope I have answered your query.
Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (31 hours later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX

Will the induction for pre-term labour be a more difficult one for the mother than labour at a later date (due to the baby not ready for birth yet?)

Please advise whether there will be any complications arising to the mother for the induced pre-term delivery.

Thank-you.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No there is no harm to the mother and baby.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I can understand your concerns,But induction of labour will not harm you and your baby.

It is not very difficult because we will give you medicine to induced delivery ,so it will not harmful to you and your baby. Sometimes prolonged labour maybe there in induced delivery.

Hope found useful, feel free to ask more information.
Good luck
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Richa Agarwal (3 days later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

Is induced labour or delivery considered more painful than normal or natural delivery?

Thank-you.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Induced delivery is more painful.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
As such there is no difference in normal or induced delivery but invariably pain is more in induced delivery.

Please do not take much stress about it and take it easy.
Everything will be fine.

Hope found useful, feel free to ask more information.

Good luck.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng