Indian mother gives birth to conjoined twins sharing nearly every organ with very slim chance of survival
Unable to afford travel or medical treatment, the parents were forced to take the twins home
AN Indian mother has given birth to conjoined twins who share nearly every organ and have a slim chance of survival.
The twins – a boy and a girl – have two sets of hands but share a pair of legs.
Their mother, Shivrajo Devi, 24, gave birth at a private clinic in a village in Buxar, eastern India, on Wednesday evening.
However, their condition deteriorated and they were moved to Sadar Hospital where medics gave them preliminary treatment.
Dr Raj Kumar Gupta, a paediatrician at Sadar Hospital, said: “They are fused from the waist and only one genital is visible which is of a girl.
“Even though the second genital is missing, we suspect the fate of the second baby is a boy, which makes this case even more rare as conjoined twins are usually of the same gender.”
Once their condition stabilised, doctors sent the twins to a bigger hospital three hours away.
However, their devastated parents have been told any further treatment will have to take place in Delhi.
Unable to afford travel or the high cost of medical treatment, the couple say they have been forced to take the babies home.
The mother said he had no idea she was carrying conjoined twins, despite thorough check-ups before her pregnancy including ultrasounds.
She said: “I cannot believe my children are fused together.
“I am heartbroken and had hopes that doctors can save their lives but with doctors turning them away, I do not know what will happen to them now.
“They told us the babies would be needed to be kept in a glass box and we should take them to a big city like Delhi for their treatment.
The twins’ father Chhota Singh, 30, a factory worker who makes £60 a month, said their joy quickly turned to despair.
He was left in shock at the hospital’s disregard for their vulnerable children.
He said: “I made sure to give my wife regular check-ups during pregnancy.
“We were evicted to welcome twins but all our excitement has vanished. I had only heard of such babies.
“After doctors at Sadar Hospital referred us to the other hospital, I borrowed money to take them there.
“But I was told there was no need for treatment.”
Dr Gupta added: “The children are a rare case of conjoined twins.
“They are full grown and are joined from the abdomen region.
“While they have four hands the share two legs that are hanging from one side and share most of their vital organs.
“Their condition is stable but they need special care and so we have referred them to an advanced hospital.
“They are miraculous babies and very beautiful but as the chances of survival of such twins are always slim, we cannot say about their longevity either.”
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