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.
If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:
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.
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.
Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit: Reuters
American racing champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), his family has announced.
The 79-year-old former NASCAR driver and broadcaster will be stepping further away from public life following the diagnosis.
According to his family, Waltrip has FTD, which is being complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which they believe may be linked to injuries sustained during his racing career from 1972 to 2000.
“We wanted to share a health update with all of Darrell’s friends and fans who have supported him throughout his racing career. Recently, Darrell has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) complicated by possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — likely from injuries incurred during his racing career,” the family said in a statement.
The family said Waltrip currently has only “minor noticeable symptoms” and is “happy and otherwise healthy,” spending time with his wife, Stevie, and their two daughters.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive brain disease believed to be associated with repeated head injuries. It has most commonly been studied in contact-sport athletes and military personnel exposed to repeated head trauma.
Experts are still studying how the number and severity of head injuries contribute to CTE risk. Importantly, not everyone exposed to repeated head injuries develops CTE, and the condition can currently be definitively diagnosed only after death through examination of brain tissue.
A 2026 study led by researchers at Boston University and Harvard Medical School found that roughly one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE.
Although CTE has historically received considerable attention in American football and other contact sports, repeated head impacts can occur in motorsports as well.
Waltrip is not alone. NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen was diagnosed with CTE by researchers after he died in 2024.
Frontotemporal degeneration, also known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), refers to a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes.
These areas are involved in personality, behavior, language, and other functions. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, memory loss may not be the first or most prominent symptom of FTD.
FTD can develop at a younger age than many other forms of dementia, sometimes affecting people in their 40s or 50s.
The condition can cause changes in:
Symptoms vary depending on which areas of the brain are most affected and generally worsen over time.
Behavioral Symptoms
Waltrip is one of NASCAR's most accomplished drivers, with 84 Cup Series victories and three Cup Series championships.
He won the Daytona 500 in 1989 and the Southern 500 in 1992. He also won the Coca-Cola 600 five times, making him the winningest driver in the race's history.
Waltrip later became a familiar voice in NASCAR broadcasting, working as a commentator for many years.
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The UK NHS is set to review around 4,500 more breast cancer cases dating back to 2015 after a review found delayed diagnoses and 20 cases involving unnecessary breast removal surgery.
Hundreds of patients suffered harm under County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in north-east England., according to the review.
The Trust has apologized and is using specialists from other hospitals to determine whether more women underwent unnecessary operations or received poor care.
"The trust will complete the reviews already under way covering care between January 2023 and February 2025. It will then look back one year at a time, starting with patients treated in 2022 and working backwards towards 2015," it said in a statement.
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Board chair Alison Marshall apologized to women and families affected by the failings.
"I would like to offer a sincere apology to all the women and their families who have been affected by the failings in our breast services," she said, according to the BBC.
"I can't imagine the impact that has had."
She said the Trust could "not turn back the clock" but would be "open, honest and transparent" about the failings.
Chief nurse Gill Hunt said concerns were first raised in 2015 following a "service reconfiguration" and the loss of breast surgical trainee posts.
Till September 2, 2026, a total of 539 cases had been reviewed, and is expected to examine around 4,500 cases if it extends back to 2015.
The Trust said each year's findings will be "carefully considered" before it moves to the next earlier year. As per the report, the review could take five years, with women treated in 2015 potentially having their cases reviewed as late as 2031.
The admission came after the BBC reported last year that more than 200 patients were found to have suffered harm at the CDDFT.
"We have heard again today about the profound and lasting impact that failings in our breast services have had on women and their families," said Chief executive Steve Russell.
"We remain deeply sorry for the harm and distress caused, and for the times when, as a Trust, we should have listened more carefully, asked more questions and acted sooner," Russell added.
About 640 patients have contacted a special helpline seeking a review of their cases. The current review cost about £523,000 in its first year and involved nine reviewers examining around 80 cases a month.
Read More: FDA Approves New Breast Cancer Treatment That Targets Resistance Before Cancer Progresses
About 514 cases reviewed by the trust so far, between January 2023 and February 2025, alongside the cases of 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline.
Of the 514 cases, 315 patients have been found to have suffered harm, including 77 who were significantly harmed. One patient is known to have died.
The Trust was found to have a high number of mastectomies compared with other NHS trusts, with operations carried out "too quickly".
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for roughly 15% of all new cancer cases.
Around 60,763 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to Breast Cancer UK. An estimated 14,000-15,000 mastectomies are performed annually in the UK.
A mastectomy is surgery to remove the whole breast. Depending on the cancer, nearby lymph nodes and surrounding tissue may also be removed. It may be performed on one or both breasts depending on the type of cancer and individual risk factors.
Some patients may undergo breast reconstruction after a mastectomy to restore breast shape and symmetry.
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed restricting the manufacture and sale of analogue dairy products as “paneer.”
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, seeks to amend the 2011 regulations to specifically include “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk” among products whose sale would be restricted.
The move aims to prevent consumers from being misled about the nature and composition of such products and comes amid concerns over spurious dairy products.
The proposed amendment seeks to insert a new clause under Regulation 2.1.1 of the existing regulations covering “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk.”
Products made using paneer or cheese analogues would therefore have to be clearly identified to consumers.
“Products already licensed or registered under the ‘Analogue in Dairy Context’ category would be required to discontinue the use of the term ‘Paneer’ in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing,” FSSAI said.
“The proposed amendment is aimed at ensuring that the nomenclature and presentation of food products accurately reflect their nature and composition, thereby enabling consumers to make informed choices,” the food regulator added.
Also read: Indian President Urges Celebrities to Stop Endorsing Health-Harming Products: Why It Matters
Since this is a draft regulation, FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public.
The draft will be considered after 60 days, and the submissions received during this period will be considered before the proposed amendment is finalised.
The proposed amendment would affect food business operators, including hotels, restaurants and catering services, that use substitutes for traditional dairy-based paneer or cheese products.
FSSAI said businesses using such products would need to prominently disclose this information at consumer touchpoints, including menu cards and packaging labels, in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations.
In August, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh banned the manufacture and sale of non-dairy paneer, commonly referred to as analogue paneer or analogue cottage cheese.
Traditional paneer is a fresh, soft, non-melting cheese commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is made by curdling milk with acidic ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar or citric acid, followed by separation of the curds from the whey. The curds are then drained and pressed to remove excess water.
Analogue paneer, on the other hand, is made using non-dairy ingredients such as vegetable fats or oils and starches instead of milk fat.
Under FSSAI regulations:
Consumers can start by checking the product label and menu description.
Home tests sometimes promoted online, including iodine or toor dal tests, should not be treated as definitive methods for identifying adulterated paneer. Laboratory testing is required to establish the composition of a food product reliably.
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