Indian Surgeons Successfully Remove Rare Parasitic Twins from Infant

A team of surgeons in India has successfully performed a complex operation to remove two parasitic foetuses from the abdomen of a 20-day-old baby girl. The condition, known as foetus in foetu, is extremely rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported globally. This particular case took place at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram in July 2023.

The baby girl was initially admitted with a bloated abdomen, irritability, and an inability to eat, symptoms caused by the presence of the undeveloped foetuses pressing on her stomach. During the examination, doctors identified two abnormal growths resembling tumours within her abdomen. According to Dr. Anand Sinha, the paediatric surgeon who led the operation, the baby was dehydrated and malnourished upon admission, requiring stabilization before surgery could proceed.

Surgery was delayed for two days to ensure her condition improved. Ultimately, a team of approximately 15 medical professionals successfully performed the operation, which lasted around two hours. Dr. Sinha noted that the procedure required special equipment to accommodate the baby’s delicate size. The attached foetuses were intricately linked to vital organs, including the liver and intestines, necessitating careful extraction to prevent damage.

“Throughout the surgery, we continuously monitored the baby’s temperature and ensured there was minimal blood loss,” Dr. Sinha stated in an interview. Following the procedure, the baby was discharged from the hospital a month later, and her recovery has been progressing satisfactorily without complications.

The foetus in foetu condition typically occurs during early pregnancy when a malformed foetus is absorbed by its twin. While the absorbed foetus does not develop into a viable entity, it continues to grow by drawing nutrients from the host twin. Dr. Sinha explained that while the condition is often diagnosed during pregnancy, it can occasionally remain undetected until adulthood, posing various health risks.

In a related incident earlier this year, in February 2024, doctors in Maharashtra removed two parasitic foetuses from the abdomen of a three-day-old baby, highlighting the critical nature of early detection and intervention. Dr. Sinha emphasized the importance of timely surgical intervention to avoid serious complications, including the risk of infection, which can prove fatal for affected infants.

The successful surgery of this infant underscores the complexities and challenges posed by such rare medical conditions, showcasing the expertise and dedication of medical teams in addressing them.