A medical miracle: Doctors discover 'stone baby' in 73-year-old woman's womb
The hospitalization of a 73-year-old Algerian woman due to abdominal pain revealed a rare medical case: a 'stone baby.' This condition points to a rare medical phenomenon known as 'lithopedion.' So, what is the science behind this rare occurrence?
The unusual medical condition experienced by an Algerian woman surprised doctors and the medical community. When the 73-year-old woman sought hospital treatment for severe abdominal pains, doctors discovered a 'calcified baby' in her fallopian tube. This condition, named 'lithopedion,' indicates a rare medical event.
A RARE PHENOMENON
'Lithopedion,' or 'stone baby,' is a very rare medical phenomenon. According to the National Library of Medicine, this condition generally occurs as a result of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. If the fetus is not small enough to be absorbed by the mother's body and dies, it is recognized as a foreign object by the mother's immune system and gradually becomes calcified.
The rarity of such cases is a subject of great curiosity in the medical world. The National Library of Medicine notes that this condition occurs in only about 0.0054% of all pregnancies. Speaking on his TikTok channel, Dr. Karan Raj says that this condition also proves how flexible and adaptable the human body can be.
'LITHOPEDION' IN HISTORY
In medical history, cases of 'lithopedion' date back a long time. The first recorded case occurred in France in 1582, and since then, only a few hundred cases have been reported worldwide. Although these cases can be diagnosed earlier with modern medical technology, in some instances, they still emerge as a surprise finding.
This incident is not only a diagnostic challenge for medical professionals but also an important research topic in unraveling the mysteries of the human body. According to the Ectopic Pregnancy Foundation, such cases hold significant value in medical education and research, providing crucial information for a better understanding of ectopic pregnancies.
