What is a parasitic twin? Let's talk about this simply.

As a mother- to-be, you may feel a little scared and anxious when you hear the word 'parasitic twins'. But don't worry at all. Because this is a very, very rare condition. However, it is very important to be properly informed about everything. So today, let's talk very simply about this condition called parasitic twins, what it means, why it happens, and what the treatment is.

What exactly is a parasitic twin?

Simply put, a parasitic twin is one in which parts of the other twin are attached to the body of one baby and do not develop properly. This is very similar to a condition called conjoined twins. But there is a key difference. In conjoined twins, both babies are usually well-developed. In parasitic twins, while one baby is healthy and fully developed, the other twin's development stops in the womb and remains as a non-functional part.

In medical terms, this well-developed, healthy baby is called the 'autositic or dominant twin'. The undeveloped, non-functional part is called the 'parasitic twin'.

This parasitic part can attach to various parts of the main child's body. It is most often seen attached to places such as the head, abdomen, chest, pelvis , buttocks or back. The most important thing for us all to understand here is that this parasitic part is not a living, separate child. That part is often completely inactive in the womb or at birth.

This condition is so rare that experts say that only one in a million babies are affected by it. While this may sound like a terrible thing to hear, with the advancements in modern medicine, a healthy baby can live a very good life. Usually, doctors remove the parasite through surgery.

There are two other conditions that are similar to this one, but can be confused.

1. Fetus-in-fetu: This is the development of an abnormal, embryo-like mass of tissue covered by skin inside a healthy baby's body.

2. Mature teratoma: This is a cancerous condition. Sometimes these can be fatal.

What is the reason for this situation?

Because it's so rare, researchers are still trying to figure out the exact cause. But there are two main theories. Both are related to what happens in the early stages of the fetus.

1. Fission Theory

According to this theory, the fertilized egg splits in two within the first two weeks of pregnancy, forming identical twins. Imagine, if the egg splits in two in this way, it does not separate completely, and the development of one part stops halfway, then this theory says that a parasitic twin situation occurs.

2. Fusion Theory

This theory suggests the opposite. That is, even if the egg successfully divides into two parts, the two parts then come into contact with each other again and join together at the cellular level. This results in conjoined twins. This theory states that if one part of the embryo stops growing after this union, the condition of parasitic twins results.

In addition, researchers are studying a chemical called Sonic Hedgehog protein (SHH) . This protein is essential for cell growth. It is thought that abnormally high levels of this SHH protein may be a cause of parasitic twinning. However, further research is needed on this.

Are there any symptoms that can tell you this early?

This condition can only be diagnosed through medical tests during pregnancy. It is mainly detected through scans performed by the doctor.

• Prenatal ultrasound scan
• MRI scan `( magnetic resonance imaging )`
• CT scan `(Computerized Tomography)`

During these scans, your doctor can check for any abnormalities in your baby's body, such as parts of a parasitic twin. If that's the case, they may order further tests, such as an echocardiogram, to check the baby's healthy heart function.

However, sometimes it is not possible to see this parasite while the baby is still in the womb. In that case, doctors only diagnose the condition after the baby is born, when they see the extra tissue.

What are you doing as treatment?

The only treatment for parasitic twin disease is surgical excision . Although it may sound a bit harsh to say that a newborn baby is being operated on, if this parasitic part is not removed, the healthy baby may face various complications in the future. That is why this surgery is performed.

During the surgery, doctors carefully remove all the tissue, bones, and possibly organs from the parasitic twin from the healthy baby's body. In some cases, if the parasitic twin has caused any deformities in the healthy baby's body, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to correct them.

Thanks to advances in modern surgical technology, most children do not experience major complications after surgery. However, some children may require special monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery.

Can complications occur after surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications that can occur with this surgery. But we must remember that most children recover very well. Here are some common complications that can occur after surgery.

If you have any questions or doubts about this, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it openly. He or she can answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. It is especially advisable to see a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth.

Parasitic twin, conjoined twins, pregnancy, fetal development, pediatric surgery, birth defects