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These twins have a common
yolk sac and “placenta.” Developmental (probably
mechanical) problems have prevented the usual transfer of yolk to the babies
and have caused them to be significantly smaller than the usual neonate. Though these two conceivably could be fraternal
twins with fused yolks, their high pattern concordance suggests that they are
identical. No obvious birth defects
other than small size were present, but they were poor feeders and died several
months later. Other non-twin neonates
with large yolks usually die as well.