A truly rare medical phenomenon recently captured the world’s attention. Doctors performed surgery on a tiny 20-day-old infant girl. They removed two underdeveloped fetuses found growing inside her abdomen. This condition, known as “fetus-in-fetu,” is incredibly uncommon. Fewer than 200 such cases have ever been recorded globally.
Fetus-in-fetu happens very early in a pregnancy. An abnormal twin embryo is absorbed into its healthier sibling. While these absorbed fetuses cannot survive on their own, they continue to grow. They draw nutrients from the host baby’s body. In this specific case, the mother was originally pregnant with triplets. During development, two of the embryos ended up inside the third infant.
Before the surgery, the baby showed clear signs of distress. Her belly was unusually large, and she cried often. She struggled to drink milk because the extra growths pressed on her stomach. Doctors first had to treat her for dehydration and poor nutrition. They needed to make sure she was strong enough for the operation.
Dr. Anand Sinha, a pediatric surgeon, spoke to the BBC about the operation. He called it a very tough challenge for the medical team. However, the good news is that the infant is now safe and healthy. She is recovering well, a huge relief to everyone involved.
A team of over 15 medical professionals worked for more than two hours. They carefully removed the parasitic twins. This delicate task was made harder because the fetuses were attached to several important organs. These included the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
This isn’t the first time this unusual condition has appeared in the region. In 2024, a three-day-old baby in Kolkata died after surgery for a similar issue. Then, just last February, doctors in Maharashtra state found another case. Dr. Sinha warned that if not detected in childhood, these growths can continue to develop. They rarely turn cancerous, but they can cause serious health problems that eventually require treatment.
Source: BBC