Cristiano Ronaldo revealed on social media on Monday the death of his baby boy. In a joint statement, Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodríguez have said, "It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness. We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support. We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time."
Ronaldo and Rodríguez had announced in October that they are expecting twins. On Monday they confirmed the birth of the daughter and death of the son. Ronaldo has four children; Rodríguez and Ronaldo have a four year old daughter together.
Twin mortality
Single fetal death in twin pregnancies is seen in many cases. "The causes of single fetal demise in a twin pregnancy are represented by twin–twin transfusion, placental insufficiency, placental abruption, IUGR related to pre-eclampsia, discordant growth, velamentous insertion of cord, cord stricture or true knot, cord around the neck, congenital abnormalities and blunt abdominal injury," says a study.
A retrospective cohort study of 128,219 live born second twins in the United States for the years 1995 through 1997 found that risk of neonatal deaths, especially for term infants with asphyxia-related deaths, is increased for the second twins who are delivered by cesarean delivery after vaginal delivery of the first twins.
Late childbearing and assisted reproduction techniques have increased the rate of twin births by a third since the 1980s, says another study. Twins have more complications at birth, are more often born premature, and have lower birth weights and higher stillbirth and infant mortality rates.
The most frequent cause of death in twins has proved to be immaturity and asphyxia at birth, leading to the development of hyaline membranes.
Apart from this, twin pregnancy increases the risk of complications for the mother. Gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and post-partum depression and maternal mortality, are substantially increased in twin pregnancies, say studies.
