Born With Two Heads

Manar Maged was born at an Egyptian hospital in March 2004 and immediately became a media sensation. Diagnosed with an extremely rare medical condition known as craniopagus parasiticus, Manar has one body and two heads.

Some more facts about Manar and her condition:

• Manar's second head has no body and could not live without her.
  
  
• There are just 10 known cases in medical history, and Manar is only the third baby to be born alive.
  
  
• No baby with Manar's condition has lived past infancy.
  
  
• The second twin was a parasite – surviving on Manar's blood supply and therefore putting her life at risk.
  
  
• Apart from its head, the parasitic twin had only a lump of tissue containing part of the esophagus, part of the trachea, some ribs and part of the spine. There was no heart, lung, intestine or limbs.
  
  
• Amazingly, the parasitic twin had a complete, functioning brain. She could suck, blink and react. She could feel unhappy or happy, independent of how Manar was feeling at the time.
  
  
• Manar's surgery to separate her from her twin was a success, although the parasitic twin did not survive. But Manar may be suffering from brain damage. Only time will tell.