Conjoined Twins

Book
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
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Excerpt

Conjoined twins refers to twins that are physically fused in utero and consequently at birth. The first mention of conjoined twins historically comes from the neolithic period. The condition is proposed to result from either fission or fusion. It happens when a monozygotic twin pregnancy cleaves more than 13 days after fertilization. Conjoined twins are monochorionic (one placenta) and monoamniotic (one amniotic sac). Conjoined twins exist in a female to male ratio of 3 to 1. This type of pregnancy is a complicated phenomenon that requires an interprofessional approach to manage it effectively.

Publication types

  • Study Guide