Eight-month-old twins from Hayward Heath, West Sussex, recently met the surgeon who saved their lives even before they were born. The BBC reports how their mother, Katerina Ahouansou, at six months pregnant, during a routine scan, uncovered a serious issue with their development and blood supply.

Doctors diagnosed the twins with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome or TTTS. It is a condition where one twin received more blood and nourishment than the other due to uneven blood vessel distribution in the placenta. In case there is no medical intervention, it could be fatal for both the twins.

A Specialist Steps In

This is when Ahouansou was referred to Professor Kypros Nicolaides at King’s College Hospital in London. Professor Nicolaides is a pioneer in fetal medicine and he specializes in a laser procedure that redistributes blood supply between twins in cases of TTTS.

When Ahouansou was scanned, Nicolaides observed that one of the twins were significantly smaller than the other. "There was a very high chance that if we did not intervene, both twins could die," he recalled.

An Operation No Less Than A Miracle

The life-saving laser surgery was performed and within a week the doctors saw an improvement with the twin who was smaller in size. When the twins were born, they weighed 1.5kg and 1.7kg. To recognize the efforts by the surgeon, Ahouansou named them Kai Kypros and Asher Nicolas after Professor Kypros Nicolaides.

Ahouansou also expressed deep gratitude for the professor's expertise and called him "proof that miracles can be performed by people who are devotees to their profession."

Professor Kypros Nicolaides has been at King’s College Hospital since 1980 and is widely regarded as a leader in fetal medicine. His groundbreaking research and development of screening and surgical techniques have saved countless lives.

Through his dedication, Professor Nicolaides has given many families hope, demonstrating how medical advancements continue to improve survival rates for complex fetal conditions like TTTS.

More about Twin-to-twin Transfusion Syndrome

As per the John Hopkins Medicine, TTTS is a rare pregnancy condition that affects identical twins or other multiples. It happens in pregnancies where twins share one placenta and a network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients essential for development in the womb. These pregnancies are known as monochorionic.

Sometimes, the blood vessels in the placenta are unevenly distributed, causing an imbalance in blood flow between the twins. The donor twin loses more blood than it receives, leading to malnutrition and potential organ failure. Meanwhile, the recipient twin gets an excess of blood, putting strain on the heart and increasing the risk of cardiac complications.

Impact on the Donor Twin

The donor twin loses blood volume (hypovolemia), reducing kidney function and urine production. This leads to low amniotic fluid levels (oligohydramnios) or, in severe cases, a complete absence (anhydramnios). Without proper blood circulation, the donor twin faces cardiovascular issues, increasing the risk of death.

Impact on the Recipient Twin

The recipient twin experiences excess blood volume (hypervolemia), causing increased urination and excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). The overworked heart struggles to handle the surplus blood, leading to cardiovascular dysfunction, heart failure, and, in extreme cases, death.

A baby girl who reportedly appeared healthy after being born died at just 14 months after getting afflicted with a devastating, ultra-rare genetic neurological disorder that made her incapable of moving, feeding and interacting with the world around her.

Poppy Massey was born in February 2022 with no signs or symptoms of any illness. Her mother Kaylee Massey's told PEOPLE that they began having concerns when Poppy was around four months old and her vision did not appear to be developing normally.

Further testing disclosed abnormalities in the corpus callosum, followed by diagnoses including microcephaly and cerebral visual impairment.

She eventually got diagnosed with TBCD leukodystrophy, a rare inherited disorder affecting the brain and nervous system. Poppy died on April 30, 2023.

What Is TBCD Leukodystrophy?

TBCD disorder is a rare genetic condition that affects the brain and nervous system. It is caused by changes in both copies of a gene called TBCD, which is important for the normal development and functioning of nerve cells.

A child usually inherits one faulty copy of the gene from each parent. The parents typically do not have symptoms because they carry only one altered copy.

The condition can cause severe complications in brain development, movement, muscle strength and vision. Children may grow normally at first but then start showing symptoms like developmental delays, poor muscle, difficulties in feeding and moving, seizures, vision problems and loss of skills they had acquired previously.

TBCD-related neurodegenerative disease is sometimes grouped among leukodystrophies, a group of disorders that affect the brain's white matter.

White matter contains nerve fibres covered by a protective layer called myelin, which helps electrical signals travel efficiently through the brain and nervous system.

When this system is disrupted, communication between nerve cells can become impaired, contributing to the severe neurological symptoms seen in patients.

Also read: Busy Philipps Reveals She Had Surgery To Remove A Rare Brain Tumour: What Is Oligodendroglioma?

Babies With TBCD Leukodystrophy May Initially Appear Healthy

One of the most difficult aspects of the disorder is that neurological problems may not be obvious immediately after birth. As the child's brain develops, symptoms can become more evident.

Brain imaging can show cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, a thin corpus callosum and impaired myelination. Some children subsequently experience stunted development.

In Poppy's case, her mother told PEOPLE that her condition deteriorated rapidly after diagnosis at nine months. She eventually lost the ability to suck and feed independently, lost movement in her legs and arms.

Also read: Neuro-Protection: How Your 30s And 40s Determine Your 70s And 80s

TBCD Is An Exceptionally Rare & Severe Disorder

The nervous system depends on organised cellular structures to develop, transport materials and communicate between neurons. Disruption of the TBCD protein can interfere with these processes during early brain development.

The disease involves brain atrophy and impaired myelination, affecting movement, development, vision, swallowing and other neurological functions.

TBCD is exceptionally rare. The TBCD Foundation says fewer than 50 diagnosed cases are known worldwide, although the true number may be higher because rare genetic disorders may largely remain undiagnosed.

Some affected children have very severe symptoms right from the onset of the disease disease, while others may survive longer. It varies depending partly on the specific genetic variants involved. Currently, there is no proven cure or treatment for TBCD disorder.

Childhood weight gain is often noticed only when a child steps on a weighing scale. But the factors influencing a child’s weight can begin much earlier, hidden in everyday habits such as sleep, screen time, meals and physical activity. With busy family schedules and increasing screen use, healthy routines can sometimes take a back seat.

Supporting healthy habits from an early age is more useful than focusing only on a child’s weight or appearance. At the same time, regular growth monitoring helps pediatricians identify children who may need additional support. Not every child who looks chubby has obesity, and children’s body shapes naturally change as they grow.

Sleep and weight

Sleep is an important part of a child’s growth and development. Children who do not get enough sleep may experience changes in appetite, mood and energy levels. A tired child may also be less interested in physical activity and more likely to spend time sitting or snacking.

A consistent bedtime routine can therefore be an important part of maintaining healthy habits. Keeping screens away before bedtime, maintaining regular sleeping hours and creating a calm sleep environment can help children develop better sleep patterns.

Also read: After Lindsay Clancy Trial, Massachusetts Pushes Stronger Postpartum Mental Health Screening

The screen-time connection

Screens have become part of children’s everyday lives, whether for schoolwork, entertainment or communication. However, excessive recreational screen time can reduce the time children spend running, playing and being physically active.

Screens can also encourage mindless eating. Children watching television or playing games may snack without paying attention to hunger or fullness. Sugary drinks, packaged snacks and frequent eating in front of screens can gradually become habits.

Parents can begin with simple changes, such as keeping meals and snacks screen-free and encouraging children to take regular breaks from sitting.

Also read: 22-Year-Old Frozen Embryo Produced A Healthy Baby: Does An Embryo Have An Expiry Date?

Daily routines matter

Healthy weight management in childhood is not about strict dieting. It is about creating a balanced routine. Regular meals, nutritious snacks, adequate sleep and daily movement can help children develop healthy habits without making them feel that food or their body is a problem.

Children should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, dairy or suitable alternatives, eggs and other sources of protein. Simple, home-cooked family meals can form the foundation of a healthy diet. Highly processed foods and sugary drinks do not need to disappear completely, but they should not become everyday staples.

Physical activity should also feel like play rather than punishment. Cycling, dancing, outdoor games, swimming, walking or simply playing with friends can help children stay active while having fun.

Parents do not need to change everything overnight. Small, consistent steps can make a difference. Set predictable meal and sleep timings, create screen-free family meals, encourage outdoor play and avoid using food as a reward or punishment.

Most importantly, avoid making children feel ashamed about their weight. Focus on health, strength, energy and healthy habits rather than appearance.

Better sleep, healthy screen habits, nutritious food and regular movement can help children build a healthier relationship with their bodies and food. When parents create healthy routines for the whole family, children are more likely to adopt them naturally and carry those habits into adulthood.

Massachusetts is moving to strengthen postpartum mental-health care after the controversial trial of Lindsay Clancy increased focus on gaps in treating serious mental-health conditions during and after pregnancy.

Governor Maura Healey has proposed $2 million to expand voluntary nurse home visits to families with newborns, along with $250,000 to strengthen a state program that helps healthcare providers identify and treat mental-health and substance-abuse problems during pregnancy and after birth.

The state's Department of Public Health will also update regulations governing perinatal mental-health screening to identify a broader range of conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders and postpartum psychosis.

Massachusetts Expands Postpartum Mental Health Screening

The current Massachusetts law already requires postpartum depression or major depressive disorder screening for eligible postnatal individuals receiving care from primary-care providers, obstetricians, midwives and pediatricians.

But mental health problems after pregnancy can extend beyond depression.

The state's updated approach is expected to give healthcare providers more opportunities to ask about a patient's mental health during and after pregnancy, including during visits with an obstetrician, primary-care doctor or pediatrician.

Healey said, “Becoming a mother is a profound life change, and every parent deserves support — not just during pregnancy, but in the months that follow.”

She added, “Postpartum depression, anxiety and other maternal mental health conditions are real medical conditions, and no mother should feel ashamed to ask for help or feel like she has to navigate this journey alone.”

The changes are particularly relevant because there is currently no validated screening tool specifically for postpartum psychosis. Massachusetts health guidance says diagnosis depends on a healthcare provider assessing the person's symptoms.

Also read: The Postpartum Nutrition Gap: Why New Mothers Often Neglect Their Own Health After Delivery

More About The New Programme

The proposed $2 million investment would expand the state's Welcome Family programme so that all families with newborns can be offered a voluntary nurse home visit.

Massachusetts has around 68,000 births a year, while the programme currently reaches about 3,000 families annually. During a visit, a nurse can assess the health of the mother and baby, answer questions about feeding and sleep, and connect families with additional support.

The state also plans to invest $250,000 in the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms, which supports healthcare providers treating maternal mental health and substance-use conditions.

The additional funding could also help track postpartum psychosis data and improve education for healthcare professionals, mothers and families about warning signs.

Also read: Paris Jackson Undergoes ‘Painful’ ECT for Depression: Can Electroconvulsive Therapy Reduce Suicide Risk?

Early Detection Is Key

Perinatal mental-health conditions can affect people during pregnancy and after childbirth. Depression and anxiety are more common, while postpartum psychosis is rare but requires urgent medical attention.

Massachusetts' move aims to ensure that mental-health concerns are not identified only during a dedicated postpartum visit, but also when new parents interact with other parts of the healthcare system.

The measures follow the trial of Lindsay Clancy, whose attorneys argued that she experienced postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children in 2023. Prosecutors disputed the defence's argument, and the jury ultimately failed to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial.

Healey said the bigger goal is to make conversations about maternal mental health more routine. She said, “To every mom who has struggled with her mental health before, during or after pregnancy, I want you to know we see you — I see you.”