Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years from Rajasthan's Ajmer.

The initiative marks a decisive step towards eliminating cervical cancer through timely HPV vaccination. Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India. Nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths are reported annually in the country.

"Today, I have had the opportunity to launch the HPV vaccine campaign from Ajmer. This campaign is an important step towards empowering women and daughters of this country,” PM Modi said.

“For us, this was a sensitive issue tied to the insult of our sisters and daughters, one that made them ill. That is why we resolved it at a crucial turning point in their mission,” he added.

The World Health Organization has also lauded India's mission to launch the HPV vaccine and prevent the risk of cervical cancer.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the daughters of the country are healthy and prosperous. The objective of this initiative is the prevention of cervical cancer," the Prime Minister, earlier wrote in a post on social media platform X.

The HPV Vaccination Campaign

The nationwide program, based on expert recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), will target girls aged 14 years.

At 14, the HPV vaccine offers maximum preventive benefit, well before potential exposure to the virus.

"By prioritizing prevention at the right age, the program is expected to provide lifelong protection and significantly reduce the future burden of cervical cancer in the country," the government said.

“The HPV vaccine works best at 9-14 years, before exposure, and when the immune response is strongest. Studies show effectiveness is highest in younger age groups and decreases with age,” Dr. Parmod Kumar, Associate Professor in Medical Oncology, AIIMS Jodhpur, shared on X.

Vaccination under the national program will be voluntary and free of cost.

The HPV vaccination will be conducted exclusively at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centers), Community Health Centers, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.

Cervical Cancer Burden In South East Asia

Despite being preventable, cervical cancer continues to claim the life of a woman every two minutes globally, and the WHO South-East Asia Region bears nearly one-quarter of the global burden.

Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia, stated that the introduction of HPV vaccination at a national scale in India "will have a far-reaching impact". It will accelerate progress not only for the country, but for the region and the world, she said.

“This landmark step, led at the highest level of government, reflects India’s strong commitment to protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer," said Dr. Boehme.

With today’s milestone, nine of the 10 countries in the Region now include HPV vaccination in their national immunization programs.

The WHO global targets for 2030 include vaccinating 90 percent of girls by age 15, screening 70 percent of women by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90 percent of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancer receive appropriate treatment.

72 tigers have died due to an illness in Thailand's Chiang Mai. This happened is the span of less than two weeks this month. Facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, have been concerned, as this is a park where visitors can touch and interact with the big cats.

As per a BBC report, the local livestock department said that samples from tigers showed canine distemper virus. However, authorities have not yet confirmed how the outbreak happened. The samples were collected from tigers' bodies, the chicken they eat and their surroundings.

In a news conference, officials told that the virus was no longer spreading and that no more tigers were dying. The officials also stated that no humans had been infected.

The remains of the tigers have been buried and a recommendation was made for the gravely ill tigers to be euthanized, said the authorities. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director of the national livestock department, previously told local media, "By the time we realized they were sick, it was already too late." He noted that it was harder to detect the sickness in tigers compared to animals like common household cats or dogs.

Read: This Zoonotic Disease Of Himalayas Is Re-emerging But Recognition Remains Poor

Previously, the provincial livestock office had told that preliminary tests showed the tigers were infected with feline parvovirus. While some local officials also suspected that the outbreak was stemmed from contaminated raw chicken meat that was fed to tigers as per the Bangkok Post.

As per the Thai PBS report, none of the veterinarians or other staff working in the Chiang Mai tiger enclosures had fallen ill from canine distemper virus. However, the disease control department said that they have been placed under observation for 21 days.

Canine Distemper: The Virus That Killed 72 Tigers In Thailand

As per the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system of canines, including dogs, cats, and other wild canines, which includes foxes, wolves, tigers, big cats, raccoons, and skunks, etc.

The signs of canine distemper includes:

• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Fever
• Coughing
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

There are certain neurological signs too that can be noted:

• Walking in circles, unable to follow a straight path
• Head tilt
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle twitches
• Convulsions with jaw-chewing movements (“chewing gum fits”) and drooling
• Seizures
• Partial or complete paralysis

Is Canine Distemper Contagious to Humans?

As per PetMD, there is no evidence that humans can get canine distemper. Blue Cross UK also states that canine distemper virus is not infectious to humans and poses no known health threat to people. While it could be related to human measles virus, it does not cross over to cause illness in humans.

Read: Is There A Difference Between Zoonotic, Non-Zoonotic And Reverse Zoonotic Diseases

How Did The Tigers In Thailand Get Canine Distemper?

Many animal right groups are blaming the poor living conditions of captives as the reason for the virus. They say that tigers used for entertainment in Thailand lived in unclean enclosures. As per the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, the tigers' deaths exposed the "extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease". "Tragedies like this would be far less likely to happen" if tourists "stayed away" from these attractions, Peta Asia said in a statement.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks to carry out the disinfection work.

In a world first, doctors have corrected the DNA of a teen from British Columbia, Canada, using new gene-editing technology under clinical trial, and cured him of his rare disease, raising hopes for scores of patients with such inherited diseases around the globe.

A new paper published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine described Ty Sperle, 19, as the first person to be cured of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) -- a genetic condition where the body’s white blood cells do not work properly, increasing his risk of infectious disease -- by a treatment known as “prime editing”.

Ty was diagnosed with the condition at the age of five and has since been on pills, antibiotics, and antifungals. Yet, skin and soft-tissue infections, as well as an invasive bacterial infection in the lung, were quite frequent in his life.

“We have an immune system that I like to think of as a suit of armor that protects us, and because of Ty’s issue, he really had a big hole in that suit of armor,” Dr. Stuart Turvey, a pediatric immunologist at B.C. Children’s Hospital was quoted as saying in Global News.

"And so different bacterial or fungal infections could sneak in really at any time and cause serious or even life-threatening infections. So, it’s a tough disease to live with. People with this disease don’t live long, healthy lives," he added.

The Landmark Gene-Editing Technology

Ty became the first person to take part in the clinical trial, set up by US-based Prime Medicine, where doctors utilized the technology to correct an error in the DNA of patients affected by CGD.

In the trial, Ty's blood stem cells were drawn and enriched before being treated with the gene editing product.

"The product contains the necessary components to target and correct the mutation in the gene responsible for the condition, NCF1," the B.C. Children’s Hospital shared in a statement.

Ty was discharged after spending 24 days in hospital care. Follow-ups revealed that his immune system’s antimicrobial activity remained even durable six months later.

“When we got the call from Dr. Turvey, I was very excited as there were no cure options for me at that time,” Ty said.

“It was nerve-wracking for me as I was the first patient to volunteer for this procedure, and it seemed I was the only one, so it was scary," he said.

"I am thrilled with the result because I am cured of CGD and can live my life fully.”

What Is CGD?

CGD is an inherited disease that severely impacts the immune system and affects approximately one in 200,000 children.

Turvey, who treated Ty for more than a decade, said that the rare genetic disease leaves patients susceptible to infections that can turn serious, even fatal.

People with the condition have a dramatically reduced ability to fight illnesses and are extremely vulnerable to inflammatory conditions and bacterial and fungal infections.

While other treatments, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or a bone marrow transplant, can help patients with CGD, they work only in the case of an optimal healthy donor.