New Delhi, July 20: Even as the memory of the Iranian twin sisters' death on the operation table to separate them remained fresh, two conjoined baby boys, left by their poor parents after birth, are being looked after at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The babies joined at their lower abdomen and born 35 days ago, behave normal and are healthy and feeding well.
"It is an extermely rare situation which happens because the embryo starts dividing into identical twins on 13-15 days but, the division is incomplete, leading to two babies joined or united in some regions," Dr D K Gupta, additional ptofesstor of paediatric surgery at the institute said today.
The twins were born at the Lady Harding Medical College and referred to AIIMS after six hours of birth. Their parents are from Delhi, are very poor and have abandoned them. They already have two daughters, Gupta said. Investigations have revealed that the twins have two heads, two upper chests, two hearts, four lungs, but common lower chest, and only two legs. Scanning revealed they have two compelete spinal chords.
There are only 20 per cent chances of common feelings for the twins, that brings the possibility of conflicts in the later life.
"Thus, if you pinch one leg there are 10-20 per cent chances, the twin on the other side would also get hurt," he said. "If one cries, there are 20 per chances that other will also cry. They may not be hungry at the same time, but if one is having milk, the site may also prompt the other to cry for it. Requirements of food may vary," Gupta added. Bureau Report