In a rare medical discovery, doctors in China have found a parasitic twin inside the brain of a one-year-old girl. The phenomenon, known as Fetus in Fetus (FIF), is extremely rare, with less than 100 cases reported globally. The Fudan University scientists reported the case in the December 2022 issue of Neurology. FIF is a double malformation where a fetus incorporates one or more fetuses. In 2022, a case was reported in India where doctors discovered eight fetuses in the abdomen of a newborn. The fetuses were successfully removed through surgery.
Recently, doctors in China discovered the FIF syndrome in a one-year-old girl who was admitted to the hospital due to an enlarged head circumference and motor delays. During a CT scan, doctors noticed a fetus-like inclusion in the child’s brain, which was surgically removed. Genetic analysis revealed that the fetus was a genetic twin of the patient. According to scientific estimates, one parasitic twin occurs in every 500,000 births. This happens when a malformed fetus moves into the body of its twin during pregnancy. Although the malformed fetus is not viable, it can develop various cell types and grow inside the other fetus, posing a significant health risk to the affected individual.
The discovery of FIF is a rare occurrence, and doctors are still trying to understand the condition fully. However, with advancements in medical technology, doctors can now detect and treat such conditions early on, improving the chances of a successful outcome. The case in China highlights the importance of regular medical check-ups and the need for early detection of any abnormalities. As more research is conducted, doctors hope to gain a better understanding of FIF and develop more effective treatments to help those affected by this rare condition.
