8 Fetuses Found Inside 3-Week-Old Baby's Abdomen... 1 in 500,000 Incidence of 'Fetus in Fetu'

All Parasitic Fetuses Removed After Approximately 90-Minute Surgery in India
Parasitic Fetuses Occur Due to Incomplete Separation of Twins

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Eight fetuses were found inside the abdomen of a newborn less than a month old. These fetuses are reported to be parasitic twins known as "fetus in fetu."

According to a recent report by Indian media NDTV, a baby girl was born at a private hospital in the Ramgarh area of Jharkhand state. The parents immediately took the 21-day-old baby to the hospital because her abdomen was abnormally swollen as if she were pregnant.

The doctor initially suspected a tumor and transferred the baby to a children's hospital in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. Detailed examinations revealed that eight fetuses were found inside the baby's abdomen. This condition is known as "fetus in fetu (FIF)," a parasitic fetus.

Parasitic fetuses occur due to incomplete separation of twins. The separated fertilized egg, which should have been discarded due to improper development, grows parasitically inside the other fetus. This type of teratoma was first documented in the British Medical Journal in 1808 and is extremely rare, with an incidence rate of 1 in 500,000.

The fetuses measured about 3 to 5 cm and were found inside an abdominal cyst. The hospital did not disclose the developmental status of the fetuses.

After approximately 90 minutes of surgery, all parasitic fetuses were removed, and the baby is reported to be recovering post-operation. Parasitic fetuses are usually discovered during infancy, but there are a few cases reported among adults. Symptoms include a large mass in the abdomen. Precise examinations are essential to confirm the presence of parasitic fetuses. They can be removed surgically, and patients generally recover fully after surgery.

Currently, fewer than 200 similar cases have been reported worldwide. Typically, the number of parasitic fetuses ranges from 1 to 3, but this is the first known case where eight fetuses were discovered. The hospital is preparing to have this case published in an international journal.