Question

A pregnant female comes to a gynecologist who sends her for USG. On USG twin pregnancy noted with about one month difference in the age of fetuses. Which is true of the following?

• A. Superfetation
• B. Superfecundation
• C. Suppositious child
• D. Posthumous child

Hint:

Superfetation is extremely rare and involves the fertilization of an additional egg during an ongoing pregnancy, leading to twins of different gestational ages.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In this scenario, a pregnant female undergoes an ultrasound (USG) which reveals a twin pregnancy with about one month difference in the age of the fetuses. To determine the correct term for this situation, let's analyze the options:

• Superfetation: This occurs when a second, new pregnancy occurs during an initial pregnancy. It involves the fertilization of a second ovum (egg) by sperm and implantation of another embryo in the uterus when there is already an existing pregnancy. This can lead to twins of different gestational ages.
• Superfecundation: This involves the fertilization of two or more ova from the same cycle by sperm from separate acts of sexual intercourse. While this can result in twins, they would be of the same gestational age.
• Suppositious child: Refers to a child born as a result of substituting another infant, unrelated to differing ages within the same pregnancy.
• Posthumous child: A child born after the death of a parent, unrelated to differences in fetal age during the same pregnancy.

Given the situation described—twins with significantly different gestational ages—the correct term is Superfetation, as it accurately describes how a second pregnancy began during an ongoing initial pregnancy, resulting in fetuses of different ages.