Toddler has twin removed from own stomach

An 18-month old Chinese girl has undergone an operation to remove her dead twin from her own stomach. Kang Mengru was suffering from a condition that affects one in 500,000 births, where one twin in the womb grows larger than the other, enveloping its sibling in the process. The second foetus never fully develops, but continues to grow inside the first baby, feeding off it like a parasite. The condition had left Kang with a swollen stomach and unable to eat solid food. Neighbours had branded her "a monster". But help arrived in the shape of the Red Cross, who launched an appeal to raise the funds to pay for the girl's life-saving treatment. The 10-hour operation was a success and she is now recovering. The Daily Telegraph reported Kang's mother as thanking the Red Cross, saying: "We're very grateful. We were so worried she would die. Before she used to cry in pain and hold her bump like a pregnant woman. Now we can hope she can have a normal life." Kang returned to her village in Henan province in September. She has also started eating solid food. Her mother added: "She doesn't understand what has happened to her. But she is happy. She still has her womb and ovaries, so one day she will be able to have children of her own."