Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause conjoined twins are so rare, and the cause isn't clear, it's unknown what might make some couples more likely to have conjoined twins. It is known, however, that conjoined twins occur more often in India and Africa than they do in the United States or Europe.
References
- 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.
- Winkler N, et al. The imaging spectrum of conjoined twins. Ultrasound Quarterly. 2008;24:249.
- Spitz L. First trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25:820.
- Amin S, et al. Live conjoined twins: A rare first trimester diagnosis during emergency department sonography. Emergency Medicine. 2010;39:e105.
- Roque H, et al. Monoamniotic twin pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
- 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.
- Kokcu A, et al. Conjoined twins: Historical perspective and report of a case. Journal of Maternal Fetal Neonatal Medicine. 2007;20:349.
- Pajkrt E, et al. First-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25:820.

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