Babies born with 2 heads, 3 arms, and 2 hearts surprise parents and doctors
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On March 28 in India, twins with two heads, three arms, and two hearts were born, much to the surprise of their parents.
Mum Shaheen Khan and her husband Sohail admitted that they were expecting two fully formed twins, based on the most recent ultrasound. But they, along with the hospital staff, were shocked when Shaheen gave birth to a very rare case of conjoined twins.
One of the hands was located at the back, between the two faces and in the middle of the two hearts. The other two hands are in a normal position. During sonography, it looked like the woman was pregnant with twins.
The ‘miracle’ twins were then referred to a hospital in the nearby city, where they are currently fighting for their lives. Shaheen, on the other hand, remains in the district hospital.
Pediatric surgeon Dr Brijesh Lahoti said these kinds of cases are rare. Right now, the condition of the babies remains uncertain, and they are currently kept under close observation.
“We have not planned for any surgery on the patient,” added Dr Lahoti.
The babies have two hearts and three hands and are being monitored by doctors. Credit: Rareshot News / SWNS.
Twins born with two heads, but sharing one body, are known as dicephalic parapagus – an extremely unusual form of conjoinment which is said to affect only one in a million births.
In most cases, most dicephalic twins are stillborn or die soon after birth.
But there are a small number of cases known to have survived to adulthood, like the case of conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel.
The twins were born on March 7, 1990 and were diagnosed as dicephalic parapagus twins joined by the torso.
Unlike other sets of conjoined twins who can be separated via surgery, Abby and Brittany’s parents decided against the operation after learning that it was doubtful both girls would survive the procedure.
The Hensel sisters share many vital organs, including an enlarged liver, a bladder, a diaphragm, both reproductive and digestive systems, and intestines. Each twin controls one arm and one leg.
Meaning, it requires a great deal of cooperation from both of them just to complete simple tasks such as walking, running, and driving a car.
After first appearing on US television in the ’90s, the twins have since then lived ordinary lives out of the limelight.
As of today, Abby and Brittany are elementary school teachers. They teach fourth and fifth grade with a concentration in math, and their students absolutely adore them.
Learn more about their story in the video below:
Credit: Naked Stories.
