ABSTRACT
Twin research has found genetic influence underlying vocational interests, work values, and job satisfaction. In addition, numerous studies have shown that monozygotic (MZ) twins generally display greater within-pair cooperation and social closeness than dizygotic (DZ) twins. These findings are illuminated by exploring the occupational histories of two female twin pairs, one set MZ and the other set DZ. This is followed by a review of timely twin-based research reports on molar pregnancy, social support, conjoined twinning, and immune discordance. Finally, news items regarding identical twin politicians, multiple birth marriages, a new Guinness World Record for twins, and a twin-family story from the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago, Chile are both interesting and informative.
Subject(s)
Human Rights , Museums , Twin Studies as Topic , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Twins, Dizygotic/psychology , Twins, Monozygotic/psychology , Female , Humans , Hydatidiform Mole , Marriage , Pregnancy , Pregnancy, Twin , Records , Social SupportABSTRACT
Highlights from the 15th International Congress of Twin Studies are presented. The congress was held November 16-19, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. This report is followed by summaries of research addressing the differentiation of MZ co-twins by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), an unusual error in infant twin-singleton hospital registration, twins with childhood-onset narcolepsy with cataplexy, and the parenting effects of hearing loss in one co-twin. Media interest in twins covers a new Broadway musical based on the conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, male twins becoming famous in fashion, twins who turned 102 and unique insights from a conjoined twin survivor. This article is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth (Liz) Hamel, DZA twin who met her co-twin for the first time at age seventy-eight years. Liz and her co-twin, Ann Hunt, are listed in the 2015 Guinness Book of Records as the longest separated twins in the world.
Subject(s)
Twin Studies as Topic , Caregivers/psychology , Cataplexy/genetics , Diseases in Twins/epidemiology , Diseases in Twins/psychology , Female , Genotyping Techniques , Hearing Loss/psychology , Humans , Longevity , Male , Narcolepsy/epidemiology , Patient Identification Systems , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Twins, Dizygotic/genetics , Twins, Monozygotic/genetics , Verbal BehaviorABSTRACT
This article briefly reviews two specific types of conjoined twins, ischiopagus and diprosopus, and discusses recent cases of such twins born in India. Some members of the Hindu community worshiped these conjoined twins as incarnations of Hindu deities. In discussing this phenomenon, the authors aim to elucidate certain features of the faith tradition of Hinduism itself. The reception of these conjoined twins as incarnations of Hindu deities can be understood by examining two salient features of Hindu polytheism: the pictorial depiction of Hindu deities with multiple appendages and the concept of an incarnation, or avatar, of a Hindu deity.
Subject(s)
Hinduism , Religion and Medicine , Religion and Psychology , Religion , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Child , Child, Preschool , Fatal Outcome , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Plastic Surgery Procedures/psychology , Reoperation , Treatment Refusal/psychology , Twins, Conjoined/surgeryABSTRACT
Reported here is a case of conjoined twins presented to ante-natal outpatient department of Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital on 21st August 2015 on a 20 year "Primigravida at 27 weeks and 6days of gestation not in labor" referred from a polyclinic following ultrasonography diagnosis for better management. After confirming the diagnosis and counseling the patients regarding mode of delivery and possible outcomes, elective caesarean section was performed and delivered male conjoined twins of Parapagusdicephalus type with poor Apgar score. No resuscitation attempted except oxygen supplementation as per wish of parents and early neonatal deaths occurred at one hour of life. Keywords: conjoined twins; monozygotic twins; siamese twins; twinning; twin pregnancy.
Subject(s)
Cesarean Section/methods , Patient Care Management/methods , Twins, Conjoined , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods , Adult , Apgar Score , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Twins, Conjoined/physiopathology , Twins, Conjoined/psychologyABSTRACT
Conjoined twins offer unique challenges for the family and medical care team including psychosocial stressors, religious dilemmas and public relation considerations. The involvement of social workers, child life specialists, chaplains and public relation experts is an important component in the care of conjoined twins. In this paper, we discuss the issues that could be encountered when supporting families with conjoined twins and strategies to address them.
Subject(s)
Mass Media/statistics & numerical data , Parents/psychology , Patient Discharge , Social Support , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Family , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Twins, Conjoined/surgeryABSTRACT
Conjoined twins are a rare occurrence that offer unique challenges and circumstances to therapists. The overall goal of physical and occupational therapy treatment is to provide care that promotes developmental progression to two conjoined individuals with distinct personalities and potentially different physical and medical needs. The unique presentation of conjoined twins must be considered in determining therapeutic goals, interventions and plans of care. Providing therapeutic interventions throughout the NICU stay is a dynamic, evolving process, which challenges the therapy team to work together to find solutions. This paper aims to highlight the considerations, challenges, and strategies used to address barriers in the therapeutic care of conjoined twins.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Occupational Therapy , Patient Care Planning , Physical Therapy Modalities , Twins, Conjoined , Weight-Bearing/physiology , Aging/psychology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Patient Positioning/psychology , Personality , Quality of Life/psychology , Social Change , Twins, Conjoined/physiopathology , Twins, Conjoined/psychologyABSTRACT
Conjoined twins present unique ethical and palliative care challenges. We present an ethically-justifiable, practical approach to decision-making with regards to surgical separation. These decisions must account for the short- and long-term prognoses for each infant prior to, and after, separation. Other considerations include the benefits and burdens of separation and the family's values and goals. Caregivers should recognize that decisions surrounding separation may be unduly influenced by social biases. The palliative care team aids in developing goals of care to guide decision-making by promoting communication between the medical team and family. They play an important role in supporting families regardless of the planned course of treatment. This support may be social or spiritual in nature, and is promoted by the interdisciplinary structure of the team. Early involvement of palliative care services facilitates complex decision making and can aid in the transition from cure-oriented therapies to support if needed during and after the dying process.
Subject(s)
Clinical Decision-Making/methods , Elective Surgical Procedures , Palliative Care/organization & administration , Patient Care Planning , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Twins, Conjoined/surgery , Bioethical Issues , Clinical Decision-Making/ethics , Elective Surgical Procedures/ethics , Elective Surgical Procedures/psychology , Elective Surgical Procedures/rehabilitation , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Parental Consent/psychology , Personal Autonomy , Postoperative Care , Preoperative Care , Prognosis , Quality of Life , Plastic Surgery Procedures/ethics , Plastic Surgery Procedures/psychology , Plastic Surgery Procedures/rehabilitation , Risk Assessment , Social Support , Twins, Conjoined/psychologyABSTRACT
Conjoined twins with a common heart system and circulatory system were observed during the 14th and 15th days for 11 hr. Sleep, Waking, and Quiet and Active Sleep were recorded in minute intervals. Clear independence of sleep and waking was manifest, and total independence of Quiet and Active sleep was noted.
Subject(s)
Sleep Stages , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Sleep, REM , WakefulnessABSTRACT
Three cases of conjoined twins are presented: two thorocopagus and one craniopagus. The diagnosis of conjoining varied from late second trimester to time of term delivery. Delivery mode was both by vaginal and cesarean routes, and occurred at both level one and level three hospitals. Antenatal diagnostic procedures and issues in obstetric management are discussed. A suggested obstetric management sequence for conjoined twins is proposed.
Subject(s)
Twins, Conjoined , Adult , Counseling , Delivery, Obstetric , Female , Fetal Death , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Parents/psychology , Postpartum Period , Pregnancy , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Conjoined twins were born on 8th August 2000 in Manchester. After a 2-month period of legal fighting between their parents and the medical team, which was widely reported in the media, the twins were surgically separated on 7th November 2000. This case-report scrutinises the ethical dilemma from a fresh perspective.
Subject(s)
Ethics, Medical , Twins, Conjoined/surgery , England , Fatal Outcome , Female , France , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Parents , Religion , Twins, Conjoined/psychologyABSTRACT
The birth of 'Siamese' twins in August 2000 whose parents refused to consent to surgery for separation required English courts to decide whether the twins could lawfully be separated despite that refusal when one twin would certainly die as a direct surgical result. The Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the trial judge's decision to authorize surgery, taking account of principles of family law, criminal law and human rights law. Parental duties to the viable twin were found consistent with the justification of allowing, without intending, natural death of the non-viable twin. The right to human dignity of both twins supported the justification of separation surgery. The decision did not elevate physicians' choices over parents', but subjected both to the law. The hospital was found entitled to bring the case to court, but not obliged; it could have declined surgery in conformity with the parents' wishes.
Subject(s)
Parents/psychology , Twins, Conjoined , Canada , Ethics, Medical , Female , Human Rights/legislation & jurisprudence , Human Rights/psychology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Religion and Medicine , Treatment Refusal/legislation & jurisprudence , Treatment Refusal/psychology , Twins, Conjoined/psychology , Twins, Conjoined/surgeryABSTRACT
Is a theory of identity necessary for bioethics? In this paper I investigate that question starting from an empirical explication of identity based on post-genomics, in particular on epigenetics. After analysing whether the classic problems a theory of identity has to cope with (fictional transplants; conjoined twins; and definition of death) also affect the proposed epigenetic account of identity, I deal with three topics (the assumption of moral responsibility; decision maintenance in the case of advance directives; and the attribution of value to human beings at given developmental stages) to offer an insight on the relationship between that account and bioethics.