A Pregnancy Preserved in Stone
The term lithopedion, meaning “stone baby,” refers to a rare medical condition where a fetus dies during an abdominal pregnancy and becomes calcified to protect the mother from infection. This calcification process can preserve the fetus in the mother’s body for years or even decades.
The Case of Madame Colombe Chatri
One of the earliest documented cases occurred in 1582 in France, involving Madame Colombe Chatri. After suffering abdominal pain for decades, she passed away at the age of 68. During her autopsy, doctors discovered a fully calcified fetus that had been in her abdomen for 28 years. This case drew significant medical attention at the time.
An Unexpected Medical Discovery
In modern times, lithopedion cases are often discovered incidentally. In 2013, an elderly woman in Colombia sought treatment for abdominal pain, and imaging revealed a calcified fetus that had been in her body for over 40 years.
Rare and Fascinating
Lithopedion is exceedingly rare, with fewer than 300 cases recorded in medical history. These cases provide a glimpse into the extraordinary ways the human body can adapt to protect itself in unique circumstances.
The term lithopedion, meaning "stone baby," describes a rare medical phenomenon where a fetus dies during an abdominal pregnancy and becomes calcified. This process protects the mother from infection and can preserve the fetus in her body for years or even decades without… pic.twitter.com/grqGZvzkeQ
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