Rare identical quadruplets born in Australia
An Australian woman has given birth to rare, naturally-conceived identical quadruplets at 28 weeks gestation. Medical professionals described the pregnancy as extremely high-risk, noting that the occurrence of identical quadruplets sharing a single placenta is exceptionally rare.
Why it matters
This medical case highlights advancements in maternal-fetal medicine and the successful management of high-risk pregnancies.
Image source, Metro North Health By Amy Walker Published 33 minutes ago An Australian woman has given birth to rare, naturally-conceived identical quadruplets after a pregnancy described as "extremely high risk" by the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
The four girls, who were delivered via caesarean section at 28 weeks and four days on 14 July, were monozygotic quadruplets - where a single fertilised egg splits into four embryos.
The hospital said the girls' mother, 34-year-old Jenitar Na'amoana, and her husband Jortham, already had four children and were taken by "immense surprise" when told to expect quadruplets.
Dr Alexa Bendall, who cared for the mother from the start of her pregnancy, estimated identical quadruplets occur "at one in every 15 million pregnancies" and said "but to share the same placenta - this is unheard of".
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