The Hindu : Conjoined twins abandoned at AIIMS

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Monday, Jul 21, 2003

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Conjoined twins abandoned at AIIMS

NEW DELHI MAY 20. Even as the memory of the Iranian twin sisters' death on the operation table remains fresh, two conjoined baby boys, left by their poor parents after birth, are being looked after at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here.

The babies, joined at their lower abdomen and born 35 days ago, are normal and healthy and feeding well.

"It is an extremely 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," D.K. Gupta, additional professor of paediatric surgery at the AIIMS, said today.

The twins were born at the Lady Hardinge 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, Dr. Gupta said.

Investigation showed that the twins had two heads, two upper chests, two hearts, four lungs but a common lower chest and only two legs. They had two complete spinal chords.

There are only 20 per cent chances of the twins having common feelings and that brings the possibility of conflicts in the later life. "Thus, if you pinch one leg, there are 10-20 per cent chances that the twin on the other side would also get hurt," he said.

If one cries, there are 20 per chances that the other will also cry. They may not be hungry at the same time, but if one is having milk, the sight may prompt the other to cry for it. Requirements of food may vary.

One of the twins had developed a condition called cyanosis in which the colour of the skin becomes blue due to lack of oxygen. He was kept on ventilation. Soon the other also developed the same problem and was treated, he said adding the twins had been kept at the ICU. — PTI

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