Conjoined twins

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By Mayo Clinic staff

Few things are harder than for expectant parents to learn that their unborn child has a life-threatening condition. In the case of conjoined twins, this is doubly difficult — not just because there are two babies involved, but also because the children who survive may face tremendous obstacles. Parents in these situations must grapple with very difficult decisions.

Because conjoined twins are rare, it may be difficult to find resources specifically for conjoined twins or their families. But there are a number of organizations that support parents who have lost children or who have children with grave physical problems. Your medical team can put you in touch with some of these groups as well as with medical social workers and counselors.

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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