Emergency Delivery After Missed Diagnosis
The mother, a 22-year-old resident of Palasi village, Harangaon (Dewas district), was rushed to MTH Hospital in critical labor on Tuesday. Although she had registered her pregnancy at PHC Harangaon and attended four antenatal checkups, no congenital anomaly was detected during her term.
Upon admission, she was found to be in an advanced stage of labor, necessitating an emergency Lower Segment Cesarean Section (LSCS) at midnight under spinal anesthesia.
The procedure was performed under the supervision of Dr. Nilesh Dalal (HoD), supported by a dedicated team including Dr. Alka Patel, Dr. Sheetal Hedaoo, Dr. Inderlata Solanki, Dr. Neha Rajput, and Dr. Divya. Their swift and coordinated response ensured the survival of both mother and baby.
Condition of the Baby
The newborn, a female weighing 2.8 kg, was diagnosed with parapagus dicephalus, a rare congenital anomaly. She is currently admitted in the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at MTH Hospital, under continuous monitoring by pediatric and neonatal specialists.
Dr. Sunil Arya, senior pediatrician and head of SNCU, stated that the baby's condition is critical, and survival depends on organ functionality and medical support.
Why Does This Happen?
Dr. Anupama Dave, Hospital Superintendent and senior gynecologist, explained:
“This is neither a hereditary disorder nor typically linked to maternal health. It is a rare developmental anomaly, likely occurring during the second or third week after fertilization. The exact cause is unknown, but it is considered a spontaneous event or a developmental accident.”
She further noted that such births occur in 1 out of 50,000 to 200,000 pregnancies globally.
Future Course and Medical Review
The case is under evaluation by a multidisciplinary team comprising pediatric surgeons, neonatologists, and imaging experts. Surgical separation remains uncertain and depends on whether the twins share vital organs such as the heart and liver. Advanced imaging and diagnostics will determine the next steps.
Systemic Issue: Missed Detection Despite Antenatal Care
Despite basic antenatal visits, this rare and high-risk condition went undetected, underscoring critical gaps in rural diagnostic capacity and follow-up care. Experts warn that inadequate prenatal screening in underserved regions contributes significantly to maternal and neonatal complications, calling for urgent improvements in imaging and referral systems at grassroots health centers.
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