Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared to be pregnant in the 1994 movie Junior. But that’s just a movie. What if I told you that similar things actually happened before in real life, where male patient carried a fetus?
Fetus in Fetu is a rare and surreal occurrence where one fetus forms within another.
Throughout the centuries, humanity has been captivated—and often mystified—by extraordinary events like this in nature. These strange and sometimes eerie occurrences have sparked fear, wonder, and countless stories. In earlier times, events that couldn’t be explained led to the birth of numerous supernatural tales. Since the dawn of civilization, history has witnessed remarkable events that leave us in awe, and this fascination seems timeless. Such events have long fueled superstitions and inspired grandparents to create fairy tales.
The Story of Sanju Bhagat
Let’s begin our story with a real-life account from Nagpur. Sanju Bhagat, a humble farmer, became well-known not just for his simple life but for an extraordinary incident that forever changed how people saw him. Born in 1963 in India, Sanju’s life took an unusual turn early on; by the time he reached 36, he had become a local curiosity. His unusually large abdomen, which had been noticeable since childhood, set him apart, often drawing stares and whispers. His distinctive appearance made him the subject of jokes, with people frequently remarking, ‘He looks like he’s nine months pregnant!‘
The teasing Sanju faced over the years would soon take on an unexpected truth. One night in June 1999, he was struck by an intense pain in his abdomen and struggled for breath. His condition worsened quickly, and he was rushed by ambulance to Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. The doctors suspected a simple tumor and prepared for surgery, unaware that they were about to uncover something truly extraordinary.
As the surgery began and Sanju Bhagat’s abdomen was opened, a rush of fluid poured out, revealing something that left Dr. Ajay Mehta stunned. What he saw seemed beyond belief, almost unreal. Composing himself, Dr. Mehta proceeded, uncovering a strange form within Sanju’s abdomen. This form had a clearly defined hand with fingers, a foot with toes, patches of hair, and a structure resembling genitalia. While the limbs were fully formed, the rest of the body was incomplete, with underdeveloped organs. At first glance, one might have thought that Sanju Bhagat had given birth to his son.
This astonishing, real-life event raises questions that challenge our very understanding, doesn’t it? Could it really be possible for a man to carry a pregnancy? Could anybody, other than a woman, nurture life within it? Did Sanju Bhagat, in some incredible way, give birth to a child? The answer, of course, is no.
To uncover the truth behind this phenomenon, we invite you to read on and explore the rest of this article.
Sanju Bhagat’s case is an example of a rare condition known as Fetus in Fetu. But what exactly does this medical term mean? Let’s first understand the concept of a fetus. Life begins when an egg and sperm unite, forming the first cell called a zygote. This cell divides repeatedly, eventually developing into an embryo. This process of fertilization, where the egg and sperm come together, marks the beginning of life. From about nine weeks after fertilization until birth is the fetal period, during which the developing human (or any mammal) is known as a fetus.
Fetus in Fetu, which literally means ‘a fetus within a fetus,’ describes an incredibly rare phenomenon where one fetus forms inside another. It is one of the most remarkable conditions seen in infants, with fewer than 200 cases ever documented worldwide.
Fetus in Fetu—what exactly does it mean?
This rare congenital condition occurs when one fetus begins to grow within another inside the mother’s womb. Often, the mother has no idea about the presence of two fetuses, as one hides within the other, unnoticed without detailed medical tests. While one fetus develops fully, the other remains partially formed, trapped within the body of its twin.
This condition can create situations where a male or even a young female (who cannot bear children) appears pregnant. In reality, what’s found inside is not a child they conceived but an underdeveloped twin—a sibling, not a son or daughter. In Sanju Bhagat’s case, the unusual form removed from his body was, in fact, his own undeveloped twin, not a child of his own.
What causes Fetus in Fetu?
There are two main theories: the Monozygotic Twin Theory and the Teratoma Theory. Of these, scientists tend to favor the Monozygotic Twin Theory as the more likely explanation.
To understand this, let’s first explore typical fetal development. Life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg, forming a zygote that divides continuously, eventually developing into a baby. In the case of twins, however, there can be two different paths. Either two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in two individual fetuses (dizygotic twins), or a single zygote splits, creating two embryos (monozygotic twins). Monozygotic, or identical twins, share the same genetic makeup and appearance.
In Fetus in Fetu cases, the Monozygotic Twin Theory suggests that one of these twins becomes absorbed into the other during early development, remaining partially formed within its sibling’s body. This rare occurrence is believed to be the primary explanation behind this condition.
Research shows that around 60-70% of monozygotic twins share a single placenta, connecting both fetuses to the mother through one link, a condition called monochorionic twin. In these cases, two zygotes are initially formed. However, due to imbalances in totipotent stem cells or unequal development, one of the zygotes often grows larger while the other remains smaller.
Just as in nature, where the larger or more powerful entity may overshadow the weaker one, this scenario unfolds similarly here. The larger fetus absorbs more nutrients from the mother, thriving as it grows, while the smaller one is deprived. Over time, the smaller fetus may even become absorbed within its larger twin, effectively disappearing into it. This natural but rare process is believed to be a primary factor behind Fetus in Fetu cases.
But as we know, nature never fails to surprise us! Over time, the smaller fetus becomes embedded within the larger one, losing all direct connections to the mother. Ideally, this smaller fetus would simply fuse into the larger one, merging their energy into a single life. Yet, sometimes, nature takes a different course.
While the smaller fetus loses its link to the mother, it somehow maintains a connection with the larger fetus’s bloodstream. This creates an unusual complication. The larger fetus continues to grow and develop normally, but alongside it, the smaller fetus also tries to sustain itself, feeding off its sibling’s resources. Gradually, this smaller fetus carves out a place for itself within the larger one, almost like a living tissue growing within another life.
Eventually the undeniably painful truth is that the larger fetus develops into a fully-formed human child. However, as the smaller fetus grows within the larger one, it begins to put pressure on the diaphragm of the fully developed fetus, leading to breathing difficulties. But the smaller fetus doesn’t remain confined to the abdominal cavity. It can also invade other organs, including the brain, and other bodily systems of the larger fetus. The severity of the physical complications in the larger fetus depends on which areas are taken over by the smaller fetus. In many cases, these complications cannot be corrected, even with medical intervention. This phenomenon is explained by the Monochorionic Monozygotic Twin Theory.
On the other hand, the Teratoma theory, though not widely accepted, suggests that the smaller fetus could be a tumor-like mass. This mass may contain undeveloped structures such as limbs, hair, teeth, or bones.
Is there a solution to this problem?
Yes, there is a solution. While it’s possible for 5-6 smaller fetuses to merge within a single fetus, there are effective medical treatments available. After birth, various tests, including ultrasounds, MRI, and CT scans, can confirm if another fetus is present inside the smaller body. If one is detected, the best approach is to remove it surgically while it is still small. The good news is that a fetus within a fetus does not merge with or harm other tissues in the body, making its removal relatively straightforward. This condition can also be diagnosed during pregnancy (after 22 weeks) with imaging tests, ensuring early detection.
That’s all for today. Stay safe, and thank you for reading!
References
- Mondal SK, Akan AB, Joshi MP, Huda SMS, Hossain M (2018) Fetus in Fetu: Is it a Baby Inside a baby?. J Pediatr Neonatal Care 8(1): 00307. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2018.08.00307
- The Economic Times | In rare Fetus in fetu case, man from Nagpur was ‘pregnant’ with his twin for 36 years
- ফিটাস ইন ফিটু: একটি ভ্রূণের মধ্যে যখন বেড়ে ওঠে অন্য এক ভ্রূণ
Leave a Reply