Conjoint twins turn heads

MUMBAI, JAN 5: Conjoint twins born with two heads have been the cynosure of all eyes in the north-western suburb of Nalasopara since thre...

MUMBAI, JAN 5: Conjoint twins born with two heads have been the cynosure of all eyes in the north-western suburb of Nalasopara since three days. The twins were born to Kamal Jawahar Gupta at the Dr K D Patil hospital on Monday.

Weighing 4.8 kg, the twins have heads jutting out of a common neck and a protrusion behind resembling an elbow joint. The other parts of the body are normal, though investigations are yet to be completed. When the twins cry, both heads wail simultaneously.

8220;As of now, the infants are normal, but we cannot be sure of their survival unless a thorough investigation is carried out,8221; said Dr Kishore D Patil, who conducted the operation on Kamal.

The 43-year-old doctor, who has been practising in Nalasopara for the past 18 years, was shocked to discover that the two heads that were detected in the pre-natal sonography belonged to one body. 8220;During the Caesarian, I was under the impression that I would get twins, but this was amazing,8221; he told Express Newsline. He added thathe had never come across such a case in the past.

As news of the unusual birth spread in the suburb, people flocked to the hospital hoping to get a look at the twins. Many of them, believing the twins to be a goddess in human form, deposited fruits and money at the bed of the mother. 8220;I cannot comment on the belief of the people, but if the child has to undergo corrective surgery, all this small change won8217;t do,8221; said the doctor. If further abnormalities are detected inside the infant8217;s body, it will have to undergo intensive surgery if it has to survive, added Dr Patil. Even in a government hospital, medical costs will amount to a minimum of Rs 50,000, he informed. And a successful surgery would also mean the death of one of the conjoint twins.

But no further investigations could be done on the conjoint twins as the parents refused to give their consent. 8220;They might have also believed the version of the twins being divine,8221; said a nurse at the hospital.

The other reason could be the costs involved.The Guptas run a small business in Nalasopara. 8220;But we are trying our best to convince them for the safety of the twins,8221; said Dr Patil.

Story continues below this ad

Meanwhile, the crowds, mainly women, have been creating a traffic problem on the Tulij Road, one of the main roads in the suburb. 8220;As it is, there is heavy traffic on the road on account of the construction of a flyover nearby. This has simply added to the chaos,8221; said Police Sub-Inspector Gopinath Ghasal of Nallasopara police station.

Police security at the hospital has been doubled, with a male constable posted this morning to assist his female colleague who has been standing guard since yesterday. 8220;We will provide them more people if necessary, but as of now, we don8217;t foresee any law and order problem,8221; said PSI Ghasal.

Another problem that will haunt the parents is the naming of the twins. 8220;Will just one name suffice,8221; mused Dr Patil.