Foetus In Foetus: Pregnant Maharashtra Woman Diagnosed With Rare Condition

A pregnant woman in Maharashtra's Buldhana was diagnosed with a condition where a foetus was detected inside her unborn baby. The 32-year-old, who is eight months pregnant, had visited the district hospital for a regular checkup when the anomaly was discovered, even surprising her doctors. 'Fetus in fetu' is an extremely rare condition where a malformed foetus grows inside the body of its twin. It is estimated to occur in about 1 in 500,000 live births, according to medical experts. 

Fetus In Fetu Rare Condition

The Buldhana woman's case was immediately reported to the Maharashtra health ministry in Mumbai. She was referred to a medical centre in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for safe delivery. Dr Prasad Agarwal, an OB/GYN at the hospital, explained that 'fetus in fetu' is a rare condition that has only been detected about 10 to 15 times in India so far.

He also mentioned that only about 200 such cases have been reported worldwide. There are two theories behind the condition. One is a 'parasitic twin' which is dependent on the host twin for survival. Another theory is that the fetus in fetu is a highly differentiated teratoma, a type of tumour that can contain various tissues and organs.

According to reports, the Buldhana woman might have to undergo surgery to remove the mass. Surgery is usually successful, and most children make a full recovery. Dr Agarwal said that most children who have surgery do not experience any long-term complications. However, there is a small chance risk of recurrence.

In 1999, a man from Nagpur, Maharashtra, was diagnosed with "Foetus in Fetu." Sanju Bhagat, born in 1963, had gone through much of his life with a 'pregnant' appearance, unknowingly carrying his twin sibling inside him for an incredible 36 years. Read about it here.

Another Surprising Incident In Buldhana

Another recent situation shocked residents in Buldhana when several people, as young as school-going children, reported sudden hair loss. According to one report in the Times of India, over 150 people in the district were affected by the 'baldness virus' within three days. Medical professionals attributed this to many theories.

Dr Anil Banker, a medical officer in Shegaon, suggested that the disease could be caused by contaminated water, nutritional deficiencies, or fungal infections. Experts also pointed out that the Purna River basin, where most of the affected villages are located, is known for its poor water quality and saline soil.

Government reports have previously highlighted the excessive fluoride content in the region's groundwater. So far, health officials have only conducted surveys, however, the exact cause of the outbreak remains unidentified. A team of dermatologists and senior doctors is scheduled to visit the villages to further investigate.