Rare medical case: newborn found to carry fetus inside in central India
by Aditi VermaIn a remarkable and rare medical incident in central India’s Maharashtra, a newborn has been discovered to have a fetus inside its body. This unusual case, known medically as “fetus in fetu,” was first suspected during an ultrasound performed on the pregnant mother.
The woman was admitted to a private hospital on September 5. She was later transferred to Bundelkhand Medical College in Sagar district, where she gave birth to the child.
Visuals showed a doctor explaining the rare case using X-rays and images. He highlights the newborn’s abdomen, showing a distinct outline of a smaller fetus nestled within. The visuals reveal unusual growth patterns, illustrating the complexities of “fetus in fetu.” The doctor emphasizes the need for surgical intervention to save the infant’s life.
Dr. P.P. Singh, head of the Radiology Department at Bundelkhand Medical College, explained that the mother, a resident of Kesli, had come to his private clinic for a check-up during her ninth month of pregnancy. It was during this examination that the presence of another baby inside the newborn was suspected. After further testing at the medical college, it was confirmed that there was indeed a teratoma—a tumor containing hair, teeth, and other tissues—growing inside the newborn.
Although the medical staff recommended delivering the baby at the college, the mother was taken back to Kesli Community Health Center by an ASHA worker, where she delivered normally. Dr. Singh remarked that he had never encountered such a case in his career, noting that globally only around 200 cases have been reported in medical literature.