A new baby born in Israel earlier in the month contained the embryo of a twin in her stomach, a one-in-500,000 clinical occurrence, according to medical officials.
According to a Wednesday, July 28 story in The Times of Israel, an instance of "fetus-in-fetu" happened at Assuta Medical Center in Ashod, Israel.
"We were startled to learn it was an embryo," Omer Globus, the hospital's director of neonatology, told media.
The developing baby's stomach was already swollen, according to medical checks and ultrasound exams of the mother, and doctors later reported the odd condition after the infant was born, according to the article.
The kid received additional ultrasound tests and an X-ray after delivery, and physicians had to remove two more formations from inside the newborn, according to the report.
According to Globus, the surgery was a success, and the girl is anticipated to make a full recovery. The girl, as well as her mother, who has three other children, have already been returned home.
According to Globus, there are several ideas as to why such situations occur, one of which is that the pregnancy begins as twins but one of the embryos is absorbed by the other.
“It occurs during the fetal development phase when cavities close during development and one of the embryos enters one of these spaces,” he explained.
“The fetus inside develops somewhat but does not live and remains in the womb.”