There are a lot of congenital developmental anomalies. They can be very different. Some of them are not dangerous or harmful. Others are considered very severe and even incompatible with life. One of the developmental anomalies is the so-called parasitic twin. This phenomenon is extremely rare, so the mechanism of its development is not fully understood. This anomaly is distinguished not only by a pronounced cosmetic defect, but can also greatly harm the he alth of the baby. Therefore, it is so important to diagnose this dangerous phenomenon in time. Treatment of this defect is carried out only surgically.
What are parasitic twins?
Such a phenomenon as a parasitic twin occurs only in multiple pregnancies. In this case, the embryos develop in one child's place and are formed by dividing a single cell - the zygote. Another name for this defect is the fetus in the fetus. The frequency of occurrence of such an anomaly is 1 newborn per 500 thousand. This phenomenon is considered more common among males. The ratio of boys and girls who have a parasitic twin is 1, 3:1. As a result of incorrect division andintrauterine development, one of the embryos is not fully formed, but only partially. As a result, fragments of his body or internal organs merge with a full-fledged fetus.
Due to the fact that this violation looks creepy, these children are called mutants and monsters. Also, uneducated people describe this phenomenon with the phrase "pregnant newborn." In fact, children with this defect are normal and do not have any chromosomal abnormalities. The need to get rid of the parasite does not always arise. This is required only in cases where there is a pronounced impairment of vital functions.
Why does a fetus develop within a fetus?
Everyone knows the phenomenon of Siamese twins. It implies two people who have grown together in the process of disturbed intrauterine development. One of the varieties of such an anomaly is the Siamese twins-parasites. They are formed in the early stages of pregnancy, when cell division and tissue formation occur. In most cases, this defect can be detected already at the first ultrasound of the fetus. The main reason for this anomaly is the incorrect formation of the vascular system of the embryo. In the organ that exists only at the beginning of pregnancy - the yolk sac - many anastomoses appear, which should not normally be. As a result, one of the fetuses loses its blood supply and stops developing. Since the second fetus continues to grow normally, it increases in size and, as it were, absorbs the defective embryo.
Location of the parasitic twin in the child's body
The location of the parasitic fetus in the body of a normal twin can be different. Most often it is located in the abdominal cavity. There are also known cases of the formation of parasitic twins in the chest and even in the brain. Sometimes parts of the defective fetus extend beyond the body cavity. Then they protrude from the torso of a normal child. There may be a parasite twin visible to the naked eye in the abdomen, on the back, etc. Despite the fact that such a pathology is a terrible picture, most often the child has no other abnormalities and is he althy. Sometimes the defective fetus is located deep in the abdominal cavity and is closed by the intestines and other organs. Therefore, it can be detected already in adulthood.
What do parasitic pancakes lead to?
Despite the fact that the initial pregnancy is set as multiple, the parasitic twin is not a viable embryo. Its development is disturbed as early as 3 weeks. Therefore, he does not have time to fully form. Most often, only some rudiments and parts of the body develop in parasitic embryos. The medulla and internal organs are usually absent. In some cases, the beginnings of bone tissue, lower or upper limbs are found. Nevertheless, it is connected with the normal fetus through the vessels. After absorption, the parasitic fetus stops developing and can only gain mass. Due to the fact that the blood supply to the defectiveembryo, a normal fetus can tolerate oxygen starvation. As a result, there is a syndrome of reverse arterial perfusion. If the parasite continues to gain mass, then it can be dangerous for the he alth of the child. Children with this anomaly often develop circulatory failure syndrome, or CHF.
Parasitic twins: cases in world history
Fetus-in-fetus is rare, but there are a few reported cases. This phenomenon was first discovered in the early 19th century. Currently, this phenomenon is diagnosed using ultrasound in the first months of pregnancy. Cases of the appearance of parasitic twins in the body are found all over the world. Examples are: a boy from Peru (at the time of the operation the child was 3 years old), a 9-year-old girl from Greece. Similar cases have been reported in India. Among them is the discovery of a parasitic twin in the body of a 36-year-old man.
How to get rid of a fetus in a fetus?
Treatment of this defect is possible only with the help of an operation. As a rule, surgical intervention allows you to completely remove the fetus-parasite. The operation is considered complex and has risks. Therefore, it is resorted to only when necessary, when the parasite poses a danger to life. You can also remove the fetus if it is small and not attached to vital organs and vessels. The medical literature describes an operation performed in India (2005) that lasted 27 hours.
