A set of prematured twins have broken records at an Iowa hospital despite being born four months early and suffering rare medical conditions.
The twins, Kambry and Keely Ewoldt were born in Iowa City, lowa in November last year after 22 weeks of gestation, compared to the normal gestation period of 40 weeks, which is equivalent to 9 months.
In the womb, the babies were diagnosed with Twin Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which is a disorder that brings about the formation of blood vessels that connect identical twins sharing a placenta.
Dr Jonathan Klein, a neonatologist and medical director of the NICU at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, said 'the disorder can be fatal for both twins because it creates an uneven blood flow between the babies'. Twin Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is also very rare." A lot of patients pass away before they are even born," he added.
The twins underwent surgical operation in Utero at Circinnati Children's Hospital to disconnect the blood vessels.
Jade Ewoldt, age 28, of Dysart, Iowa, the twins' mother said that she was afraid when she discovered that her water broke at home on 23 November.
'I was so mad and upset and scared.' I was just praying the girls should'nt be delivered at home,' said Ewoldt. 'I'd never heard of babies being born this early,' said Wesley Ewoldt, the twins' father.
The delivery was successful although the twins skin was so fragile that it could tear at the slightest touch and they have no eyelids yet. Their hearts were so small and so respirators were used to keep them breathing.
Presently, the twins are at the neonatal intensive care unit until their original due date, which is 29 March. Sometimes, 'you just think of what they can be' said Jade Ewoldt.