Dicephalic parapagus (/daɪˈsɛfəlɪk/) is a rare form of partial twinning with two heads side by side on one torso.[1] Infants conjoined this way are sometimes called "two-headed babies" in popular media.[2] The condition is also called parapagus dicephalus.[1]
If carried to term, most dicephalic twins are stillborn, or die soon after birth.[3] A small number are known to have survived to adulthood.[3]
The extent to which limbs and organs are duplicated varies from case to case. One head may be only partially developed (anencephalic),[4] or both may be complete. In some cases, two complete hearts are present as well, which improves their chances of survival.[5] The total number of arms may be two, three or four.[3]
Their prospects are best if no attempt is made to separate them, except in cases in which one twin is clearly dying.[6]
- ^ a b Harma, M.; Oksuzier, C. (February 2005). "Vaginal delivery of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins: case report and literature review". Tohoku J. Exp. Med. 205 (2): 179–85. doi:10.1620/tjem.205.179. PMID 15673976.
- ^ Tewari, Mansi (April 10, 2014). ""Two-headed baby" born at Sonepat dies at AIIMS after 3 weeks". India Today. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c Harma, M.; Oksuzier, C. (February 2005). "Vaginal delivery of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins: case report and literature review". Tohoku J. Exp. Med. 205 (2): 182. doi:10.1620/tjem.205.179. PMID 15673976.
- ^ Chatkupt, Surachat; Chervenak, Frank (February 1993). "Antepartum Diagnosis of Discordant Anencephaly in Dicephalic Conjoined Twins". J Clin Ultrasound. 21 (2): 138–142. doi:10.1002/jcu.1870210212. PMID 8381135. S2CID 28491454.
- ^ Başaran, Sibel; Sarpel, Tunay (2013). "Parapagus (dicephalus, tetrabrachius, dipus) conjoined twins and their rehabilitation" (PDF). Turkish Journal of Pediatrics (55): 102. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-31.
- ^ Quigley, Christine (2006). Conjoined Twins. McFarland. p. 56. ISBN 1476603235.