Question Re: Conjoined Twins

Hello all,

I'm a premed student and came across this topic during my daily perusal of the news: http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11965-4131990,00.html

In the picture from the above article, the eyes of the child-like appendage appear to be open.

Here is another article with a different photo:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/20/content_417736.htm

I have some questions regarding this topic.

1. What other examples of this kind of development are available? Is there a name for this condition where one child is developed and the conjoined child is significantly undeveloped or deformed? This may help answer some of my other questions.

2. How much growth has the less developed child undergone? I assume that since they are conjoined at the skull, the less developed child must developed its own respiratory and circulatory systems.

3. How does the underdeveloped child survive? It appears to relatively good condition considering it is ten months old; how is this possible? What type of digestive and excretory systems could be expected?

Any information regarding this type of condition would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[cinnamonheart]

Hey your the med student!!
We are Moms and future moms to be with questions and comments
If we have experinced  something or have an opinion we may make a suggestion  That is medical stuff what happened to going to the library!!!!

[Angel4JohnnyB]

I don't think I nor anyone one else on this forum can give you the answers you are looking for........however......just by reading the article you gave the link to it is a rare condition known as craniopagus parasiticus.
And just from things I have heard and read I would say that the 'head' did not have a respritory system or a digestive system of it's own.......the baby girls system was working for them both. Furthermore I would guess that they were not feeding the 'head' but that it was indeed growing right along with the baby girls body as they looked to be the same size.
I'm sorry I can't help you further.
Best of luck in your studies.
Vikki

[cinnamonheart]

Hope  I didnt sound bitchy it was not intended that way!
I meant your the med student and we are moms
After I re read what I said I thought some people would take it the wrong way, I meant it in fun
so sorry
xoxox cinn

[trixie charles]

Although I am no doctor that happened to a friend of mine and I believe this condition is called twin-to-twin transfusion.  Where one twin receives more blood and nourishment that the other.  Unfortunately my girlfried delivered both boys and 4 days later the smaller baby died, which apparently is often the case.  Maybe you could look this condition up on google or ask jeeves it can probably tell you more than I can