Question

Husband asks for paternal testing of his twins. One twin is found to be his son & other is not. Diagnosis?

• A. Superfecundation
• B. Superfoetation
• C. Posthumous child
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The scenario described involves paternity testing that finds one twin to be the biological child of the husband, while the other is not. This unusual occurrence can be explained by the phenomenon known as Superfecundation.

Explanation of Superfecundation: Superfecundation occurs when two or more ova (eggs) from the same menstrual cycle are fertilized at different times, often by sperm from different sexual partners. This leads to the development of twins with different fathers.

In the context of the given question and options, the correct diagnosis for the situation where one twin is the biological offspring of the husband, and the other is not, is:

• Superfecundation

The other options are:

• Superfoetation: This is the occurrence of a second conception during pregnancy, leading to embryos of different gestational ages.
• Posthumous child: Refers to a child born after the death of a parent, usually the father.
• None of the above: This would imply that none of the provided terms is applicable, which is not the case here.

Thus, the correct choice describing the scenario is Superfecundation.