How do babies get conjoined?
Here's a simplified explanation:
1. Fertilization: A single sperm fertilizes a single egg, forming a zygote.
2. Early Development: The zygote divides and forms a ball of cells called a blastocyst.
3. Incomplete Separation: Instead of completely splitting into two embryos, the blastocyst only partially separates. This leaves the embryos connected at some point, forming conjoined twins.
Possible causes of incomplete separation:
* Genetic factors: Some families may have a higher risk of having conjoined twins due to specific gene variations.
* Environmental factors: Certain environmental factors, such as exposure to specific chemicals or radiation, may increase the risk of conjoined twin pregnancies.
Types of Conjoined Twins:
The degree of connection and the areas of the body involved in the joining varies greatly. There are various classifications based on the location of the connection, including:
* Craniopagus: Twins joined at the head.
* Thoracopagus: Twins joined at the chest.
* Omphalopagus: Twins joined at the abdomen.
* Pygopagus: Twins joined at the buttocks.
* Dicephalus: Twins with two heads, sharing a single body.
Conjoined twin pregnancies are rare, occurring in about 1 in 200,000 births. The survival rate for conjoined twins depends on the severity of the connection and the individual case.
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