Conjoined twins

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Conjoined twins are two babies that are born physically connected to each other.

Conjoined twins develop when a single fertilized egg only partially splits. Although two fetuses will develop from this egg, they will remain physically connected — most often at the head, chest or pelvis. Conjoined twins may also share one or more internal organs.

Most conjoined twins are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Some surviving conjoined twins can be surgically separated. The success of surgery to separate conjoined twins depends on where the twins are joined and how many organs are shared, as well as on the experience and skill of the surgical team.

Symptoms
References
  1. Cunningham FG, et al. Multifetal gestation. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6037146. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
  2. Winkler N, et al. The imaging spectrum of conjoined twins. Ultrasound Quarterly. 2008;24:249.
  3. Spitz L. First trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25:820.
  4. Amin S, et al. Live conjoined twins: A rare first trimester diagnosis during emergency department sonography. Emergency Medicine. 2010;39:e105.
  5. Roque H, et al. Monoamniotic twin pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
  6. Martinez-Frias ML, et al. Epidemiological and clinical analysis of a consecutive series of conjoined twins in Spain. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2009;44:811.
  7. Kokcu A, et al. Conjoined twins: Historical perspective and report of a case. Journal of Maternal Fetal Neonatal Medicine. 2007;20:349.
  8. Pajkrt E, et al. First-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25:820.
DS00869 Nov. 19, 2010

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