Rare ‘fetus in fetu’ case detected in pregnant woman in Maharashtra’s Buldhana

Doctors detect rare ‘fetus in fetu’ case in Maharashtra

Doctors at a district hospital in Maharashtra’s Buldhana have diagnosed a 32-year-old pregnant woman with a ‘fetus in fetu‘, a rare congenital condition where a malformed fetus is found within the body of its twin. The condition occurs in approximately one in 500,000 births and has been documented globally in fewer than 200 cases, with only 10-15 reported in India.

Discovery of the rare condition

The anomaly was detected during a routine sonography when the woman, who is 35 weeks pregnant, visited Buldhana District Women’s Hospital for a check-up. Dr. Prasad Agarwal, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the hospital, identified an unusual bone-containing structure within the fetus’s abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis, he consulted radiologist Dr. Shruti Thorat, who verified the findings.

“I noticed something abnormal—a normally growing fetus of nearly 35 weeks, but with an additional structure containing bones inside its abdomen. This was highly unusual, prompting further examination,” said Dr. Agarwal.

What is fetus in fetu?

Fetus in fetu (cryptodidymus) is a rare congenital disorder that results from an abnormal monozygotic twin pregnancy, where one embryo is enveloped by the other during early development. The parasitic twin is usually non-viable, lacks a fully developed brain, and may have partial limbs or a vertebral column.

Most cases of fetus in fetu are diagnosed after birth, typically when infants present with an abdominal mass. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Enlarging lump in the abdomen
• Early satiety (feeling full after eating small portions)

Next steps in treatment

Due to the complexity of the case, the woman has been referred to an advanced medical facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for safe delivery and further intervention. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the parasitic twin to prevent complications.

Doctors will continue monitoring the pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both the mother and fetus. Similar cases have reported successful outcomes following surgery, ensuring a healthy future for the newborn.

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