We speak of Siamese when two people are born connected by a part of their body. It can be the brain, the thorax, among others. Science does not yet find an explanation for this phenomenon that occurs when, following fertilization, the egg does not divide normally, which makes the separation of the two babies incomplete.
We’re taking advantage of our Family Monday column to introduce you to some things you should know regarding this phenomenon.
The term Siamese is not retained by chance to designate the Siamese twins. He holds His origin of Thailand at the time known as Siam. It dates back to the 19e century, when in 1811, two babies were thus born for the first time, Eng and Chang. They were glued to each other at the waist. The two brothers knew how to turn the situation to their advantage. Thanks to this anatomical difference, they became stars and earned a lot of money in several countries around the world.
As for the frequency of this phenomenon, studies reveal that there is only a 1 in 50,000 chance of being born Siamese and regarding 100,000 births worldwide. Babies do not always survive until birth, their chance of surviving often depends on the organ by which they are bound. For example, if they share the ventricles of the heart, they will not survive. And generally, when the chances of survival are too slim, the doctors terminate the pregnancy.
Even if they are condemned to be everywhere together and to do almost everything together, legally Siamese are considered two separate human beings. Thus, civil status provides each of them with their own identification documents.
It’s not just humans who can be Siamese. There is a category of heart-shaped potato called Siamese potatoes. Siamese are also found in some animals, but their chances of surviving are very low.
Bonus: 75% to 90% of conjoined twins are female.
