PARASITIC TWIN- A RARE CASE OF HETEROPAGUS

Heteropagus or parasitic twins are asymmetric conjoined twins in which the tissues of a severely defective twin (parasite) are dependent on the cardiovascular system of the other, largely intact twin (autosite) for survival. The estimated incidence of heteropagus twins is approximately 1 per 1-2 million live births. Though the common site of the heteropagus is the hypogastric region this neonate had the parasitic twin attached to the autosite in the umbilical region. The vascular supply for the parasitic twin is usually through the falciform ligament. This neonate received an artery from the celiac axis which is rare. Surgical excision of the parasitic twin was done successfully in the neonatal period.