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3rd set of conjoined twins born in Mthatha

A pair of conjoined twins were born in the Mthatha area making it the third set in six months, an Eastern Cape health department spokesman said.

The first pair did not survive because they shared vital organs, and the second pair was born dead a few months later," said Sizwe Kupelo.

The 31-year-old mother of the third set of twins arrived at the Malizo Mpehle hospital, in Tsolo on Thursday morning, he said. She was experiencing cramps 27 weeks into her pregnancy and gave birth at 11.30am.

Kupelo said she found out the twins were conjoined only when they were born.

No organs shared

The boys weighed two kilograms. They shared an umbilical cord, were joined at the abdomen and had underdeveloped lungs, but otherwise "generally look healthy" and were are on oxygen.

He said doctors would have to do further tests, but at that moment the boys did not appear to share any major organs.

They had been transferred to the Nelson Mandela Academic hospital, in Mthatha, for specialised care. (Sapa, August 2010)

Read more:

Twins stable after seperation

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