To explore the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of mirror syndrome.

Between January 2008 and March 2012, 21 cases with mirror syndrome who admitted to the Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of South Medical University were retrospectively studied. The clinical data included clinical feature, managment and outcomes of mothers and fetuses.

(1) Etiology: 21 cases with mirror syndrome were presented the triad of maternal edema, hydrops fetalis and hydropic placenta, including 15 cases of Bart′s hydrops fetalis, 2 cases of fetal complex heart malformation, 1 case of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, 1 case of parvovirus B19 infection, and 2 case of unknown etiology. (2)Clinical manifestation: 21 cases with mirror syndrome were all presented varying degrees of maternal edema, 18 cases presented proteinuria, 10 cases presented elevated blood pressure and 1 case presented headache. (3) Laboratory findings: 20 patients presented hemodilution, 19 patients presented hypoproteinemia, 19 patients and elevated uric acid. (4) Complication and therapy: Postpartum hemorrhage could be found in12 cases, and 9 cases need transfuse blood. Placenta accreta could be found in eight cases, and they were all received manual removal of placenta. (5) Prognosis: 21 cases with mirror syndrome were recovered and discharged; however, of all the 22 newborns only 2 babies survived.

Mirror syndyrome can be diagnosed as the maternal edema with hydrops fetalis and hydropic placenta. When the patient was diagnosed as mirror syndrome, treatment for the hydrops fetalis etiology should be given. If the condition cannot be controlled, termination of pregnancy should be made as soon as possible.