What is a lithopedion?

A lithopedion is a stone baby or a calcified fetus. This occurs between 14 weeks gestation and term when the fetus dies and is too large to be reabsorbed. The fetus calcifies to protect the mother from infection caused by the decomposing fetus within her body. The longest known case is from China where the stone baby was carried for 65 years.

While most stone babies are the result of ectopic pregnancies, 13% are uterine pregnancies.

The word comes from the Greek litho or stone and paidion meaning small child.

Although this condition was first described in the 10th century, fewer than 300 cases have been noted in medical literature since then.

See also lithopaedion or lithopædion.