Stella and Olivia’s Twin-Twin Transfusion Story: Look at Them Now

Identical twins Olivia and Stella were prenatally diagnosed with the life-threatening condition twin-twin transfusion syndrome. For more: http://www.chop.edu/fetal20.

In twin-twin transfusion symdrome (TTTS), the blood passes unequally between identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic). The smaller twin (donor) pumps blood to the larger twin (recipient). Without intervention, the condition can be fatal for both twins. When parents Trista and Chris DeFilippis learned about the diagnosis, they were in a state of shock. What was a normal pregnancy was suddenly a situation where they were at risk of losing both babies.

Trista and Chris turned to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment where a team of fetal medicine experts had extensive experience treating TTTS. The expertise and full team approach they found at CHOP gave them confidence that they were giving their girls the best chance.

After an extensive evaluation, including a high-resolution ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram to assess the structure and function of the girls’ hearts, the team determined that fetal intervention was an option.

Trista underwent fetoscopic laser surgery, a minimally invasive fetal procedure where doctors use lasers to disconnect the blood vessel connections with the goal of halting the progression of TTTS.

Today, Stella and Olivia are happy, healthy 5 year olds who share a new kind of connection. They love to make each other laugh and delight in the fact that almost everyone they meet has a hard time telling them apart.

Видео Stella and Olivia’s Twin-Twin Transfusion Story: Look at Them Now канала The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia