Twin villages

The doctors were very confused when they found a village of about 1,000 households in India but there were 250 twins.

The rate of twins in Kodinhi is 6 times higher than the world average.Photo: Telegraph.

The proportion of twins in Kodinhi village, Kerala state (southwestern India) is nearly six times higher than the average worldwide. In 2008 alone, 15 twins were born out of 300 births. Villagers believe that the number of twins this year will reach record levels.

In the past 5 years, this village has an additional 60 twins. The rate of twins on the total number of births keeps increasing year by year. Krishnan Sribiju, a local doctor, explored the twin phenomenon at Kodinhi in the past two years. He said, there are still many households that have not made birth certificates for their children, so the number of twins can be greater than 250.

'I think about 300 to 350 twins live in this village. Due to the gradual twin birth rate, perhaps the twins have doubled in the last 10 years , 'he added. Meanwhile, villagers said twins have only begun 60-70 years ago.

'Because I don't have modern biochemical analysis tools, I can't find the cause of the twin waves. But according to my judgment, this phenomenon is related to the food and water resources of the villagers. If that's the case, then scientists can find ways to help infertile couples , 'Dr. Sribiju said.

'There are many reasons why Kodinhi twins and pregnant women have discovered some unique points. The ratio of twins here is 45 / 1,000. Meanwhile, twins in India and Asia are only about 4 / 1,000. People here never use artificial insemination because the cost is too high for their income , 'he added.