A newborn girl was delivered in Mumbai, India but soon after birth, doctors noticed her abnormally swollen belly. Upon conducting scans, they discovered something shocking: a parasitic fetus the undeveloped twin growing inside her abdomen.
This condition is called “Fetus in Fetu”, a phenomenon so rare that only around 200 cases have ever been documented worldwide.
This condition is called Fetus in Fetu (FIF) — and occurs in about 1 in 500,000 births. It happens during early pregnancy, when identical twins fail to fully separate. One twin becomes enveloped by the other, growing inside its body like a parasitic twin.
shown in the image:
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Doctors noticed the baby’s unusually swollen abdomen shortly after birth.
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Scans revealed a mass inside the abdomen, which turned out to be her underdeveloped twin complete with tiny limbs and tissues.
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A successful surgery was performed to remove the parasitic fetus, and the baby recovered well.
Most cases are diagnosed shortly after birth or in early childhood due to:
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Swelling or mass in the abdomen
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Pain or discomfort
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Breathing or feeding issues in infants
Diagnosis is typically done through:
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Ultrasound
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CT scans
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MRI
The only treatment is surgical removal of the parasitic fetus. Once removed, most babies recover completely with no lasting complications. In this case referenced, the surgery was successful, and the baby was discharged in good health.
Some real cases
1.India (2023):A newborn girl in Maharashtra was found with a partially developed fetus in her abdomen. The twin had a brain, spine, and limbs. It was surgically removed without complications.
2.Colombia (2019):A baby girl was born with her twin inside her abdomen. The fetus had limbs and was drawing blood from her body. The case was documented as “born pregnant.”
3.China (2015):A 2-year-old boy was discovered to have a parasitic twin in his abdomen after experiencing bloating. The surgery revealed a structure with a spine and legs.