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.

In a serious caution to the public, Dr Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New Delhi, has warned against using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT for medical self-diagnosis. As reported by Hindustan Times, she issued the warning while speaking to the media after a recent case at the institute exposed the risks of acting on automated health advice.

The concern followed an incident in which a patient developed severe internal bleeding after treating back pain based on suggestions generated by an AI chatbot. The patient consumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without consulting a doctor or undergoing basic medical tests.

When AI Advice Turns Dangerous

According to doctors at AIIMS, the patient relied on an AI tool to manage persistent back pain instead of seeking clinical care. The chatbot recommended commonly used painkillers, which the patient purchased and took independently.

As Hindustan Times noted, the AI system had no access to the patient’s medical history or their risk of stomach and intestinal complications. What appeared to be a routine solution resulted in a life-threatening episode of internal bleeding.

Doctors say this reflects a growing pattern, where quick online answers are replacing medical evaluation, even for drugs that are widely available over the counter.

Why Medical Diagnosis Is Not Data Matching

Dr Kumar explained that medical diagnosis follows a structured process known as diagnosis by exclusion. Doctors rule out possible causes through examinations, laboratory tests, imaging, and patient history before deciding on treatment.

An AI model, however, works by identifying patterns in data. It cannot examine a patient, detect physical warning signs, or judge whether a symptom points to a deeper problem. In this case, proper investigations would likely have revealed a high risk of bleeding, a step that was entirely bypassed.

The Risk of Confident but Incorrect Guidance

Medical experts are increasingly concerned about what are often called AI hallucinations, where chatbots present information with confidence despite gaps or inaccuracies.

While platforms such as ChatGPT include disclaimers, their tone can appear authoritative, particularly to someone in pain. As highlighted by Hindustan Times, the recommendation to use NSAIDs was not unusual in general practice, but for this patient, it proved dangerous.

Without a doctor to check for contraindications or underlying conditions, even a common suggestion can lead to serious harm.

Doctors Call for Caution and Clearer Oversight

The incident has renewed debate over how AI platforms should handle health-related queries. AIIMS doctors are urging the public to treat online tools as sources of general information rather than personal treatment guides.

Experts believe AI can assist healthcare in limited roles, such as research support or administrative tasks, but should never replace professional diagnosis or supervision.

There are also calls for stronger public awareness and clearer regulation to prevent similar incidents. Doctors continue to stress that medical judgment, built on examination and evidence, cannot be replaced by algorithms.

The Delhi High Court has turned down a Japanese company’s attempt to secure a patent for a cancer detection technique that relies on nematodes, or roundworms, ruling that it falls under diagnostic processes that cannot be patented under Indian law, regardless of how novel or non-invasive it may be.

Hirotsu Bio Science approached the High Court after India’s Controller of Designs and Patents rejected its patent application in August 2023, stating that the invention did not meet the criteria laid out in the Patents Act, 1970. In a detailed 25-page judgment delivered on Saturday, Justice Tejas Karia reaffirmed Section 3(i) of the Act, which clearly bars the patenting of diagnostic methods.

What Is the Nematode-Based Cancer Detection Method?

The nematode-based cancer detection method is a research-stage technique that uses microscopic roundworms, known as nematodes, to detect the presence of cancer. These organisms possess a highly developed sense of smell, allowing them to pick up on specific chemical cues released by cancer cells in bodily samples such as urine, breath, or tissue, as per Science Direct.

Laboratory experiments have shown that certain nematodes tend to move towards samples taken from individuals with cancer while avoiding those from healthy people. The underlying idea is that cancer changes the body’s chemical profile, creating odour patterns that these worms can detect, sometimes even at an early stage.

Scientists have looked at this approach as a potentially affordable and non-invasive screening option. However, it remains a concept under study and has not yet been accepted as a reliable medical test or used in routine clinical care.

Delhi HC Upholds Patent Rejection of Nematode-Based Cancer Detection Method

At the centre of the case was a patent application titled “Cancer detection method using the sense of smell of nematode.” Nematodes, often referred to as roundworms, are among the most widespread life forms on the planet and can be found in environments ranging from soil to living organisms.

The Japanese company aimed to patent a technology based on the biological response of Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of nematode recognised for its advanced olfactory abilities.

The firm explained that its invention relies on the chemotaxis of these worms, meaning their tendency to move towards or away from certain scents, which would serve as a biological signal for the presence of cancer.

According to the company, the nematodes showed avoidance behaviour when exposed to urine from healthy individuals, while being drawn towards urine samples from cancer patients. It claimed the method demonstrated complete accuracy during testing and could detect several cancers, including gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, even at very early stages.

Is This Process Patentable in India?

The main legal question was whether the method qualified as a non-patentable “diagnostic process” under Section 3(i) of the Patents Act, 1970. This provision excludes from patent protection any process related to medicinal, surgical, curative, preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic treatment of humans.

Hirotsu Bio Science Inc challenged the rejection by the Controller of Designs and Patents in the High Court, arguing that their invention should be seen as a “detection” method rather than a “diagnostic” one. The company maintained that the process was carried out entirely in a laboratory setting, using samples such as urine or tissue, and did not involve any direct medical procedure or clinical decision-making on the human body.

Health officials have issued a recall for the Live It Up Super Greens supplement powder after 45 people across 21 states were found suffering from salmonella across the US.

The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an official recall on January 14 for the Live it Up Original and Wild Berry Super Greens dietary supplement powder flavors.

The affected products with expiration dates from August 2026 and January 2028 have been affected by this recall and include:

• Live it Up Super Greens, NET WT 8.5 oz (240g) with UPC 860013190804.
• Live it Up Super Greens, 30 – 0.28oz (8g) sticks, NET WT. 8.47 oz (240g) with UPC 850077468063
• Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, NET WT 8.5OZ (240g), with UPC 860013190811
• Live it Up Super Greens, Wild Berry, 30 – 0.32oz (9g) Sticks, NET WT. 9.52oz (270g), with UPC 850077468070

Authorities has advised consumers to not eat, sell or serve the affected Live it Up-brand products and to contact the company for returns.

Additionally, officials are asking people to wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled super greens supplement powders using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Of the 45 illnesses, 12 resulted in hospitalizations, according to the FDA. No deaths linked to the recall have been reported.

What Is Salmonella?

Apart from this, other symptoms include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Headache
• Blood in the stool

Most people develop symptoms within 8 to 72 hours after exposure while most healthy people recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment. However, in some cases, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and requires prompt medical attention.

While anyone can contract salmonella, children younger than five, elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.

Is Salmonella Life-Threatening?

Life-threatening complications may develop if the infection spreads beyond the intestines to other organs. The risk of getting salmonella infection is higher with travel to countries without clean drinking water and proper sewage disposal.

While most people do not require medical attention for salmonella infection, those at high risk may need a health care provider if the infection lasts more than a few days, is associated with high fever or bloody stools and appears to be causing dehydration, with signs such as such as urinating less than usual, dark-colored urine as well as having a dry mouth and tongue.