Diprosopus, or craniofacial duplication, is a rare congenital disorder where children have two sets of facial features, with some having two complete faces. It is the rarest form of conjoined twin, with only about 35 recorded cases worldwide. Most affected fetuses are stillborn, and those born alive often don’t live long. Abortion is usually advised when discovered during prenatal ultrasounds.
Diprosopus, also known as craniofacial duplication, is a rare congenital disorder. Children both with this condition are generally considered to be a type of conjoined twin. These children often have two sets of facial features. Some might just have a few duplicate facial features. For example, two noses or two pairs of eyes may appear on the face, while other facial features appear normal. In the most extreme cases of diprosopus two complete faces can be found on one head. The rest of the body generally appears normal.
Conjoined twins are rare, occurring in only about 10% of twins born alive. The conjunction of the twins is believed to occur between the 13th and 25th day of pregnancy. Conjunction of twins probably occurs when two sperm fertilize the same egg and the embryo fails to divide properly into two separate fetuses. Diprosopus is considered the rarest form of conjoined twin, with only about 35 recorded cases occurring worldwide since the condition was first documented in 1884.
Most fetuses affected by this serious developmental anomaly are stillborn. Many babies born alive with diprosopus don’t live long after birth. In 2008, a baby girl named Lali Singh was born in the Indian village of Saini. Lali was born with complete craniofacial duplication, meaning she possessed two complete faces on one head. Although Lali was believed to be in good health at the time of her birth, doctors believe her condition caused severe complications that ultimately led to her death at six weeks of age.
When this condition is discovered during prenatal ultrasounds, abortion is usually advised. These fetuses often suffer from severe anomalies in addition to craniofacial duplication. Abnormalities of the spine and brain have been identified in fetuses with diprosopus. These children often possess two brains and two faces, but these brains are usually formed improperly. Some fetuses with diprosopus have been found to lack adequate brain development and suffer from hydroencephaly.
These babies generally have little chance of surviving in utero until birth, and those who do usually don’t survive long afterward. Infants with craniofacial duplication are known to survive after birth, if only one brain is present. These fetuses usually develop abnormally large heads, which can make natural vaginal birth dangerous for the mother.
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