A 32-year-old woman from Buldhana, Maharashtra, was taken aback when her routine sonography in the ninth month of pregnancy revealed an incredibly rare medical condition. The diagnosis: fetus in fetu, a phenomenon in which a malformed fetus is discovered inside the body of its twin. This rare condition is documented in only about 200 cases worldwide, with roughly 15 reported in India. It was not detected earlier in her pregnancy due to its unpredictable and extremely rare nature. The condition is believed to occur when one twin envelops the other during early development, although the exact cause remains unclear. The parasitic twin inside the unborn child cannot survive independently.
Despite this extraordinary discovery, the medical team has reassured the woman that she can have a normal delivery. However, the baby will need immediate medical attention after birth. It is common for fetus in fetu cases to lack a fully formed placenta, which typically forms abnormally due to the pressure from the host twin. In a similar case from 2011, a two-month-old infant was diagnosed with fetus in fetu after a lump in her abdomen, containing fetal parts, was detected and surgically removed.
This condition came to light when the woman, 35 weeks pregnant, visited Buldhana District Women's Hospital for a regular check-up. During the sonography, doctors noticed an unusual development. The fetus appeared normal but with an additional structure containing bones inside its abdomen. Dr. Prasad Agarwal, the obstetrician and gynecologist overseeing her care, immediately suspected fetus in fetu and requested a second opinion, which was confirmed by radiologist Dr. Shruti Thorat.
Dr. Agarwal explained that fetus in fetu is one of the rarest conditions, affecting approximately one in 500,000 births. The case has been referred to a more advanced medical facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for safe delivery and further care. The condition, which is typically diagnosed after birth, may present as an abdominal mass in infancy and can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness after eating. In most instances, the parasitic twin has an underdeveloped brain and may have partial limbs or a spine.
Fetus in fetu occurs when an abnormal monozygotic twin pregnancy results in one embryo becoming enclosed by the other during early development. While there are fewer than 200 documented cases worldwide, it remains an extremely rare anomaly, with only 10 to 15 cases in India.
Doctors are continuing to monitor the pregnancy and will take necessary steps for treatment after birth, which typically involves the surgical removal of the parasitic twin to prevent complications. The medical team is optimistic about a positive outcome, as similar cases have seen successful results following surgery.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)