Catastrophic Consequences of Assisted Reproduction: The Case of Turner Syndrome

Women with Turner syndrome are generally infertile due to premature ovarian failure. Few may achieve a spontaneous pregnancy, and others may conceive through assisted reproductive technologies including oocyte donation. These pregnancies are high risk due to the medical conditions associated with Turner syndrome. Maternal death from aortic dissection in pregnancies of women with Turner syndrome is estimated at 2%. These pregnancies are also complicated by severe hypertensive disorders and fetal morbidity and mortality. Guidelines for preconception screening and counseling now exist that may mitigate the maternal and fetal risks associated with pregnancy in women with Turner syndrome.