Ballari : In a remarkable medical intervention, doctors at BMCRC medical college and hospital, Ballari, ‘foetus in fetu,y, treating one of the rarest congenital conditions known to medicine. The condition, called ‘foetus in fetu,’ occurs when an underdeveloped twin becomes enclosed within the body of the other foetus during pregnancy.
A similar rare case was also successfully treated at VIMS Hospital, back in 2008.
“The early diagnosis helped us prepare the family, monitor the baby closely and plan the surgery at the safest time,” doctors at the hospital said. BMCRC officials said advanced paediatric surgeries have been performed at the institution for more than two decades under Dr Divakar’s leadership. Dr Gaddi Divakar, paediatric surgeon, BMCRC, said: This is an extremely rare condition, but when identified correctly and treated surgically, the child can recover fully.
Medical experts say it is seen in about one in five lakh births. In this case, the abnormality was detected even before birth, during antenatal scanning by a radiology team led by Dr Sadashivagouda, head of radiology at BMCRC. The child was born at BMCRC two months ago and was kept under observation as specialists conducted detailed investigations. After assessing his condition, the paediatric surgery team led by Dr Gaddi Divakar, head of paediatric surgery, performed the complex operation. Dr Sanjeev Joshi, Dr Ram Mohan and Dr Ashwita assisted in the procedure. Nurses Pushpalatha and Saleem Pasha provided critical support during the surgery and post-operative care. The team credited the hospital administration for ensuring timely coordination and support. The successful operation has brought relief to the infant’s family. For BMCRC, it marks a milestone in specialised care, proving how early detection, teamwork and surgical expertise can turn a dangerous diagnosis into a story of survival. The baby is stable and responding well after the procedure.