CHENNAI: Twelve tense weeks after a successful laser therapy conducted on two foetuses in the womb to deal with a case of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, the babies were delivered and both of them are healthy. The treatment was given by the Twins Unit of Mediscan Systems, a Chennai-based concern. Since March, fetoscopy and laser therapy have been available and cases are being referred to the centre from all parts of India.This life-saving procedure was the result of a coordinated team effort of Mediscan Systems and Seethapathy Hospital with a team of foetal medicine specialists, high risk obstetricians and neonatologists. The babies were delivered safely and taken immediately to Metha hospital for neonatal care. The twins are doing better than anticipated by their mother Vinnarasi.Twin babies with a single placenta (monochorionic twins) have blood vessels communicating with each other. Typically, blood from one twin flows into the other through these channels and happens in such a way that the blood flow to both the babies is balanced. In about 15 percent of the cases, there is an imbalance of blood supply. The quantity of blood brought back from one foetus is not equal to the flow into it, which causes one foetus to be deprived of blood supply and nutrition, while the other receives more than its required share. This condition is called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). In this condition, there can be an accumulation of fluid around one twin and lack of fluid around the other. Both babies are therefore affected in this condition. The uterus becomes bigger and there is a risk of preterm delivery.
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