What is Two Faces Illness?

Two faces illness, also known as diprosopia or craniofacial duplication, is a rare congenital disorder where a fetus develops with two faces. This condition is derived from the Greek word "diprosopus", which means "two-faced".

Understanding Diprosopia

Diprosopia occurs due to an abnormality during fetal development. Instead of the normal single facial structure forming, the process results in the duplication of some or all facial features. It's not a complete duplication of the head; rather, it's a duplication of the face.

Key Aspects of Diprosopia

Rarity: Diprosopia is an extremely rare condition.
Congenital Disorder: It's present at birth due to developmental issues during pregnancy.
Facial Duplication: The primary feature is the presence of two faces, partially or fully formed, on a single head.
Greek Origin: The name originates from the Greek words "di-" (two or double) and "prosopon" (face).

Examples of Diprosopia

While the severity can vary, diprosopia can manifest in different ways:

Partial Duplication: Only certain parts of the face, like the nose or eyes, might be duplicated.
Full Duplication: In more severe cases, two complete faces may appear on one head.

Challenges Associated with Diprosopia

Due to the significant anatomical abnormalities:

Medical Challenges: Infants born with diprosopia often face serious medical challenges.
High Mortality Rate: Sadly, many do not survive for long after birth.
Ethical and Social Issues: The condition raises complex ethical and social considerations.

Summary of Key Features

Feature	Description
Name	Diprosopia, Craniofacial duplication, "two faces illness"
Definition	A rare congenital disorder where a fetus develops with two faces.
Origin	Greek word "diprosopus" meaning "two-faced"
Cause	Abnormal fetal development leading to facial duplication.
Impact	Often associated with significant medical challenges and high mortality.
Severity	Ranges from partial to full duplication of facial features.
Rarity	Extremely rare condition.