An Italian couple, Martina and Claudio, were expecting twins in 2023 and learned that there was a concerning discrepancy in the size of the two foetuses. The twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) diagnosis was made when Martina was four months pregnant. TTTS is a rare condition where blood passes unevenly between twin foetuses sharing a placenta causing serious problems for both. The couple refused to accept the treatment option of terminating the pregnancy or sacrificing one twin.
“We wanted to keep both twins,” said Claudio.
The couple then learned about a focused ultrasound clinical trial for TTTS in London and travelled there the very next morning. The treatment took about 90 minutes, after which the treating physician was able to assess immediate improved blood flow in both umbilical cords. After a few days of continued monitoring and improvement, they were able to return to Italy. Martina delivered twin boys at 30 weeks, and after spending six weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, Leonardo and Cesare went home.
One year later, the twins were healthy and hitting the same development milestones.
“The boys are perfect,” Claudio said, beaming.