Fetus in Fetu: The Extraordinary Case of Sanju Bhagat's Parasitic Twin Pregnancy
Sanju Bhagat's life took an extraordinary turn when what seemed like a growing stomach bulge revealed one of medicine's rarest conditions. Born in Nagpur, India, Bhagat lived a relatively normal childhood and worked as a farmer to support his family from a young age. As he entered his twenties, he developed an unusual bulge in his abdomen that continued to grow over the years, prompting villagers to joke that he appeared pregnant.
By age 36, the condition became life-threatening when Bhagat collapsed due to breathing difficulties and was rushed to a Mumbai hospital. What doctors initially believed was a tumor turned out to be something far more astonishing—the partially formed body of Bhagat's twin that had been growing inside him since birth. This extremely rare condition, known as fetus in fetu, occurs when one developing twin becomes enveloped by the other during early embryonic development, creating a parasitic relationship where the trapped twin draws nutrients from the host.
Key Takeaways
Sanju Bhagat carried his unborn twin inside his body for 36 years before a medical emergency revealed the rare condition.
The condition, known as fetus in fetu, occurs when one developing twin becomes trapped inside the other during early embryonic stages.
After successful surgery to remove the parasitic twin, Bhagat recovered and was able to resume a normal life despite his extraordinary medical journey.
Sanju Bhagat's Early Life
Sanju Bhagat, a farmer from Nagpur, India, experienced a relatively typical childhood without any apparent medical issues. Born into poverty, he began working on farms as a young teenager to help support his family, performing physically demanding labor daily.
In his twenties, Bhagat noticed an unusual change in his body - his stomach began to bulge and continued to grow larger over time. Despite the increasingly noticeable protrusion, the rest of his body remained thin, distinguishing this condition from ordinary weight gain.
Villagers often mocked him, joking that he looked pregnant. Due to financial constraints and the absence of pain, Bhagat avoided seeking medical attention and continued his daily routine despite the anomaly.
As he entered his thirties, the enlarged abdomen significantly impacted his quality of life. He developed back pain and breathing difficulties that progressively worsened. By 1999, when Bhagat was 36 years old, his condition became life-threatening when he collapsed due to respiratory distress.
Emergency services transported him to a hospital in Mumbai, where Dr. Ajay Mehta initially diagnosed what appeared to be a massive abdominal tumor. The growth had grown so large it was compressing Bhagat's diaphragm, severely restricting his breathing capacity.
During the emergency surgery, doctors made a shocking discovery - the mass wasn't a tumor at all. When Dr. Mehta made his incision, gallons of fluid poured out, revealing something entirely unexpected: the partially developed body of Bhagat's twin that had been growing inside him since birth.
Medical Timeline:
Childhood: No apparent medical issues
20s: Initial stomach bulge appears
30s: Developing back pain and breathing difficulties
Age 36 (1999): Collapse and emergency surgery
The parasitic twin had developed arms, legs, bones, hair, jaw, and teeth over the 36 years it had remained inside Bhagat. This extraordinarily rare condition, known as fetus in fetu, occurs when one twin becomes enclosed within the body of another during early embryonic development, creating a parasitic relationship where the enclosed twin draws nutrients from the host.
The Bulging Stomach
Sanju Bhagat, a farmer from Nagpur, India, lived an ordinary life until his twenties when a small bulge appeared in his stomach. As time passed, this bulge grew considerably larger, causing villagers to joke that he looked pregnant - an observation that would prove eerily accurate.
During childhood, Sanju experienced no notable health issues. He worked physically demanding farm jobs from his early teens to support his family. His stomach continued to grow throughout his twenties, though the rest of his body remained thin. Financial constraints prevented him from seeking medical attention, and since he felt no pain, he continued his daily routine.
By his thirties, the enlarged abdomen began interfering with his work. He developed back pain and breathing difficulties. In 1999, at age 36, Sanju collapsed due to respiratory distress and was rushed to a Mumbai hospital.
Dr. Ajay Mehta initially diagnosed a massive tumor that was pressing against Sanju's diaphragm. The surgical team made a startling discovery during the operation - as Dr. Mehta cut into the abdomen, gallons of fluid poured out. What they found wasn't a tumor at all.
The Medical Surprise
The "tumor" was actually the mutated body of Sanju's twin brother. This deformed fetus had developed various anatomical features including:
Arms and legs
Bones
Hair
Jaw
Teeth
For 36 years, Sanju had unknowingly carried his twin inside his body. The fetus had continued to grow throughout his life, surviving by drawing nutrients from Sanju's body.
This rare condition is called fetus in fetu (FIF), which occurs when one twin exists inside another's body, surviving parasitically. The parasitic twin forms a cord similar to an umbilical cord that extracts blood and nutrients from the host. Only about 200 cases have ever been documented medically.
The earliest recorded case dates to the early 19th century, discovered by German anatomist Johann Meckel. A woman who denied being pregnant delivered a deformed fetus, which doctors determined was actually her twin that she had carried her entire life.
Fetus in fetu develops during early embryonic stages when the blastocyst (ball of cells) divides. In rare instances, this division happens unevenly, causing one fetus to become enclosed within the other. Most cases result in miscarriage, but occasionally one or both survive delivery.
The condition typically remains undetected until the parasitic twin grows large enough to cause discomfort. Medical reports indicated that the fingernails of Sanju's parasitic twin were quite long, suggesting it had been alive for a considerable time after Sanju's birth.
After surgery, Sanju's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to 88 pounds. Though doctors considered his case a medical miracle, Sanju described his condition as a source of misery and shame. Despite the ordeal, he eventually recovered and now leads a normal, healthy life.
Medical Crisis and Sudden Hospitalization
Sanju Bhagat's condition escalated dramatically in 1999. At 36 years old, he suddenly collapsed when he became unable to breathe properly. An ambulance rushed him to a hospital in Mumbai where Dr. Ajay Mehta was on duty.
The medical team initially believed they were dealing with a massive tumor. Dr. Mehta observed that the growth had become so large it was pressing against Sanju's diaphragm, severely compromising his breathing. With Sanju's life at risk, doctors prepared for emergency surgery to remove what they thought was a tumor.
During the operation, the surgical team made several startling discoveries:
The "tumor" appeared to be feeding on contents from Sanju's stomach
When Dr. Mehta made his incision, gallons of fluid poured out
The mass contained recognizable human features
Dr. Mehta described the shocking moment: when attempting to extract the large mass, he realized he could "shake hands with somebody inside." The surgical team was stunned to discover this wasn't a tumor at all - it was the partially developed body of Sanju's twin that had remained inside him since birth.
The mass removed from Sanju's abdomen contained:
Arms and legs
Bones
Hair
A jaw structure
Teeth
A cord-like structure that had been drawing blood and nutrients
After the surgery, Sanju's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to just 88 pounds. The procedure finally brought relief after years of discomfort, breathing difficulties, and back pain that had increasingly interfered with his farm work.
Shocking Discovery During Surgery
Sanju Bhagat, a farmer from Nagpur, India, lived with a gradually expanding stomach for years. Village residents often joked that he appeared pregnant—an observation that would later prove unexpectedly accurate. Despite his swelling abdomen, Bhagat continued his physically demanding farm work.
By his 30s, his enlarged belly significantly hindered his ability to work. He experienced back pain and breathing difficulties but avoided seeking medical attention due to financial constraints. In 1999, at age 36, Bhagat collapsed when he couldn't breathe properly and was rushed to a Mumbai hospital.
Dr. Ajay Mehta initially diagnosed a large abdominal tumor pressing against Bhagat's diaphragm. However, the surgical procedure revealed something extraordinary. When the doctor made an incision, gallons of fluid emerged, followed by a shocking discovery—it wasn't a tumor at all.
What the doctors found:
A fully formed parasitic twin
The mass had arms, legs, bones, and teeth
It had developed hair and a jaw
The twin had been inside Bhagat since birth
The medical team identified this rare condition as "fetus in fetu," where one twin lives inside another's body like a parasite. The deformed fetus had created an umbilical-like cord to extract blood and nutrients from Bhagat for 36 years.
This extremely rare condition has only been documented approximately 200 times in medical history. The first recorded case was identified in the early 19th century by German anatomist Johann Meckel, when a woman unexpectedly delivered a deformed fetus despite claiming she wasn't pregnant.
Fetus in fetu develops during early embryonic formation when the blastocyst divides unevenly, causing one fetus to become trapped inside the other. The condition typically results in miscarriage, making surviving cases exceptionally rare.
Following the surgery, Bhagat's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to just 88 pounds. Though initially distressed by his condition, which had caused him years of ridicule and discomfort, Bhagat ultimately recovered and now enjoys a normal, healthy life.
Understanding Fetus in Fetu
Fetus in Fetu is an extremely rare medical condition where one twin develops inside the body of another, creating a parasitic relationship. Only about 200 cases have been documented worldwide since the first recorded instance in the early 19th century by German anatomist Johann Meckel. This condition occurs during early embryonic development when a blastocyst divides unevenly, causing one developing fetus to become enclosed within its twin.
The case of Sanju Bhagat from Nagpur, India illustrates this remarkable phenomenon. Bhagat lived a normal childhood without medical issues, but in his 20s developed an unusual bulge in his stomach that continued to grow. By his 30s, the enlargement caused breathing difficulties and back pain, ultimately leading to his collapse in 1999 at age 36.
When rushed to a Mumbai hospital, doctors initially suspected a large tumor. Dr. Ajay Mehta, who performed the surgery, made a shocking discovery - instead of a tumor, he found what appeared to be a deformed human with arms, legs, hair, jaw, and even teeth. This parasitic twin had formed a cord similar to an umbilical cord that had been extracting blood and nutrients from Bhagat for 36 years.
Medical Characteristics of Fetus in Fetu:
Presence of one twin inside another
Parasitic relationship where one twin feeds on the host
Formation of a cord-like structure to extract nutrients
Often includes partially developed body parts
The condition typically remains undetected until the parasitic twin grows large enough to cause discomfort or health problems for the host. In most instances, this condition proves fatal to both twins and results in miscarriage. The few documented cases where one or both survive delivery are considered medical rarities.
Evidence from Bhagat's case showed the parasitic twin had been developing inside him since birth. The lengthy fingernails found on the fetus indicated it had continued growing for a considerable time after Bhagat was born. Following the surgery, Bhagat's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to 88 pounds.
Despite the medical fascination with his case, Bhagat described his condition as causing significant emotional distress and social embarrassment. Villagers had mockingly suggested he looked pregnant - an observation that ironically contained a grain of truth. After recovery, Bhagat was able to resume a normal life without the burden he had carried for over three decades.
Historical Cases of Fetus in Fetu
The medical phenomenon known as fetus in fetu has a documented history dating back to the early 19th century. The first recorded case was discovered by German anatomist Johann Meckel. In this remarkable instance, a woman who had denied being pregnant gave birth to a deformed fetus. Medical examination revealed that she had actually been carrying her own twin inside her body for her entire life.
One of the most notable modern cases involves Sanju Bhagat, a farmer from Nagpur, India. Bhagat lived a normal childhood and worked physically demanding farm jobs from his teenage years. In his 20s, he developed a stomach bulge that continued to grow, prompting villagers to joke that he looked pregnant.
Without access to expensive medical care and experiencing no pain initially, Bhagat ignored his condition. By his 30s, however, the growth had begun causing back pain and breathing difficulties. In 1999, at age 36, Bhagat collapsed and was rushed to a Mumbai hospital where Dr. Ajay Mehta performed emergency surgery.
What Dr. Mehta expected to be a tumor extraction turned into a shocking discovery. Upon making the incision, gallons of fluid poured out, and the doctor was horrified to find not a tumor but the mutated remains of Bhagat's twin brother. The parasitic twin had developed arms, legs, bones, hair, jaw, and teeth.
Medical science explains this rare condition as occurring early in embryonic development. When a blastocyst (an early ball of cells) divides to form twins, occasionally one embryo becomes enveloped by the other. The trapped twin forms a cord similar to an umbilical cord that draws blood and nutrients from the host.
Key Facts about Fetus in Fetu:
Only approximately 200 cases have been documented worldwide
The condition is typically fatal to both twins
When discovered, the parasitic twin has often grown to a size that causes discomfort or health problems
In Bhagat's case, the fingernails of the fetus were unusually long, suggesting it had continued growing for some time after birth
Following his surgery, Bhagat's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to 88 pounds. Although doctors considered his case a medical miracle, Bhagat described his condition as a source of misery and shame. Despite this, he eventually recovered and now leads a normal, healthy life.
Embryological Development
Fetus in fetu represents a rare medical condition where one developing twin becomes enveloped within the body of the other twin during early embryonic development. This condition begins during the blastocyst stage when cells are dividing to form embryonic twins. In normal twin development, the blastocyst divides evenly, but in fetus in fetu cases, uneven division occurs, causing one embryo to become trapped inside the other.
Only about 200 cases have been documented worldwide since the early 19th century when German anatomist Johann Meckel recorded the first known case. The trapped twin forms a parasitic relationship with the host, developing a cord-like structure similar to an umbilical cord. This connection allows the parasitic twin to draw blood and nutrients directly from the host twin.
Most instances of fetus in fetu result in miscarriage due to the complex developmental abnormalities involved. In the extremely rare cases where pregnancy continues to term, the condition often remains undetected until the parasitic twin grows large enough to cause noticeable symptoms in the host. These symptoms typically include:
Abdominal distention
Breathing difficulties
Back pain
Pressure on internal organs
The parasitic twin typically shows some development of body parts including limbs, hair, teeth, and bones, but remains severely malformed. Evidence suggests these parasitic twins can continue developing after birth, as demonstrated by findings such as elongated fingernails in surgical specimens.
Sanju Bhagat's Recovery and Aftermath
Sanju Bhagat's life changed dramatically after his emergency surgery in 1999. When doctors removed what they initially thought was a tumor, they discovered it was actually Bhagat's parasitic twin that had been growing inside him for 36 years. Following the operation, Bhagat's weight dropped significantly, from approximately 200 pounds to just 88 pounds.
The recovery period marked the end of years of physical discomfort that had increasingly affected his daily life. Before the surgery, his enlarged abdomen had made his farm work difficult, caused back pain, and eventually led to breathing problems severe enough to trigger his collapse.
Despite the successful surgery, Bhagat experienced mixed emotions about his condition. What medical professionals viewed as a remarkable case of fetus in fetu—a condition where one twin develops inside another—was for him a source of "misery and shame." For decades, villagers had mockingly compared him to a pregnant person, unaware of how medically accurate their teasing was.
Medical reports noted that the parasitic twin had remarkably long fingernails, suggesting it had continued developing for some time after Bhagat's birth. The twin had formed its own umbilical-like cord that allowed it to draw blood and nutrients from Bhagat throughout his life.
Today, Bhagat enjoys good health and leads a normal life. His case remains one of only about 200 documented instances of fetus in fetu in medical history, making his recovery all the more remarkable.
The Medical Marvel of Sanju Bhagat
Sanju Bhagat, a farmer from Nagpur, India, experienced a normal childhood with no apparent medical issues. As he entered his 20s, he developed a stomach bulge that continued to grow over time. Village residents often teased him about appearing pregnant, unaware of the astonishing medical reality within his body.
Despite his growing abdomen, Bhagat continued his physically demanding farm work to support his family. His thin frame contrasted sharply with his large belly, but lacking financial resources for medical care and experiencing minimal pain, he carried on with daily life.
By age 36 in 1999, Bhagat's condition worsened significantly. He experienced breathing difficulties and back pain, eventually collapsing and requiring emergency hospitalization in Mumbai. Dr. Ajay Meadow initially diagnosed a massive tumor pressing against Bhagat's diaphragm.
During surgery, doctors made a shocking discovery - rather than a tumor, Bhagat carried his parasitic twin brother inside his abdomen. The medical team found a partially developed fetus with arms, legs, hair, teeth, and bones that had been growing inside Bhagat since birth.
This rare condition, known as fetus in fetu, occurs when one twin develops inside another during early embryonic development. The parasitic twin forms an umbilical-like connection to obtain blood and nutrients from the host. With only about 200 documented cases worldwide, this phenomenon ranks among the rarest medical anomalies.
Following surgery, Bhagat's weight dropped dramatically from 200 pounds to 88 pounds. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of his condition, he eventually recovered and now leads a normal life.
