Parents of conjoined twins, Tatiana and Krista, in Vernon, Canada, have been told not to get their hopes up regarding a possible procedure to separate the two girls. According to Doug McKay, stepfather, a meeting with neurosurgeons in Vancouver may produce some answers. The girls were born in October 2006, at he B-C Children’s Hospital, Vancouver.

The stepfather says it would be ideal if the girls could be separated, but if that were not possible, he will not be disappointed.

Doctors treating the girls have told the family it is possible that they might never be separated. The girls are joined at the head, just above the ear, and underwent a cerebral angiography two days ago to examine the blood vessels in their brains. It is crucial that doctors know how interconnected their brain blood vessels are.

1 in every 2.5 million births produce such conjoined twins.

Tatiana, whose blood pressure is high, is much smaller than Krista. Krista’s blood pressure is normal. To carry out the procedure successfully the doctors would have to bring her blood pressure down. However, they would have to do that in a way that does not have a bad effect on Krista.

Experts say the mortality rate for separating twins conjoined in this way is high.

What Are Conjoined Twins?

There are two types of twins, Fraternal Twins and Identical Twins. Fraternal twins come from two different eggs (dizygotic) while Identical Twins come from the same single egg (monozygotic). In the case of identical twins, the developing embryo splits into two.

Fraternal Twins look as similar to each other as normal siblings do, while Identical Twins look very much like each other. Identical Twins are always of the same sex, Fraternal Twins can be either of the same sex or different sexes.

Conjoined Twins are Identical Twins

However, on the 13th day after conception the developing embryo does not split into two completely – parts of the two stay stuck to each other. The embryos develop into fetuses that have parts fused (stuck to each other).

Three quarters of all conjoined twins are girls. However, male identical twins are more common than female ones.

Approximately 1 out of every 40,000 to 70,000 births are conjoined twins. Of every 200,000 live births 1 is of conjoined twins. 40% of conjoined twins are stillborn, 75% are either still born or do not live for more than 24 hours.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today