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.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is an increasingly common problem among children and adolescents; many children may not have any obvious signs or symptoms in the early phase. It is said that hypertension in children is a “silent condition,” and therefore, it is of paramount importance that doctors, parents, and teachers are aware of it to detect the condition early.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure In Children

While some kids might not have any symptoms at all, there are some signs that shouldn't be overlooked. Recurrent headaches or morning headaches, especially headaches in the back of the head, may occasionally be a sign of high blood pressure. Symptoms can be dizziness, blurred vision, flashers, loss of energy for no known reason, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing during exercise, chest pain, palpitations, or frequent nosebleeds for no obvious reason.

There can also be changes in a child's behaviour or physical appearance in the school environment that teachers might observe. Children with high blood pressure often experience headaches, frequent visits to the sick room for weak or dizzy spells and ask to go out of class to rest. Sometimes, symptoms such as difficulty in concentration, sudden drop in school performance, irritability, changes in mood or appearing unusually withdrawn are associated with underlying health problems, such as hypertension.

Some children may be more tired, winded or unwell from sports or physical activity than others and avoid it. These symptoms can be missed and dismissed as stress, poor sleep or lack of interest in studies or sports. Such symptoms may be overlooked and blamed on stress, sleep deprivation or low interest in studies or sports.

Leading Causes & Prevention

Doctors think obesity, poor diet, excessive salt intake, poor sleep, low exercise, and watching too much screen time are all factors that are driving up hypertension rates in kids and teens. Other kidney disease, heart disease, hormone imbalances, or family history can also contribute in some children.

Regular blood pressure checks on children's routine visits are very significant because many children with hypertension may be asymptomatic, experts say. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications with the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes in the long term.

It is important that parents and teachers do not shrug off repeated complaints of headaches, fatigue, dizziness or vision problems as insignificant. Early medical assessment can be important in safeguarding a child's long-term health.

By Dr Vaibhav Meshram, Paediatrician, Ruby Hall Clinic

If your pre-pubescent or teenage kid cannot live without a smartphone or tablet, it’s a cause for concern. Ordinarily, it was believed that some amount of screen time isn’t harmful in young adults. But a new study has gone beyond the notion of ‘limited screen time’, ascertaining exactly how much is too much.

Doomscrolling Short-Form Content Is Affecting Young Minds

A new study published in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal recently shared insight into how endless scrolling of short-form content, personalised social media feeds, and engaging content may affect the cognitive, mental, and emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults.

Marlene Ebster, first author of the study Taming the Endless Scroll and a graduate from the University of Bayreuth’s Institute of Medical Management and Health Sciences, said, “Our aim was to develop a differentiated understanding of the effects of short-video platforms based on scientifically robust evidence, and to move beyond blanket statements such as ‘less screen time.’”

The researchers relied on scientific data published between 2015 and 2025. 47,000 participants were included in the final analysis, with an average age of 16.8 years.

The findings indicate that an intensive and unintentional use of short-video platforms may be associated with a number of negative consequences.

Researchers eventually found that these usage patterns and habits were linked to increased inattention and impulsivity.

The findings also said that the participants presented reduced working memory and weaker self-regulation abilities.

Additionally, several studies reported mental health issues in young adults, including higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, especially among heavy users.

How To Combat Excessive Screen Time In Young Adults?

The study also identified factors that can protect young people. A supportive social environment, strong digital literacy, and structured and purposeful digital habits proved to reduce the negative effects of endless scrolling. Here are other ways that can help:

Swapping Online Shows With Interesting Activities: Replace one streaming session with a home-made “show” of fun-filled activities. Kids get hooked on activities with time-bound tasks; they get competitive. Screen-free creativity is a cardio-friendly brain workout.

Hiding Wi-Fi Router: Hide the router behind a daily challenge. Want Wi-Fi? You have got to earn it by doing something active, like 20 minutes of cycling, a round of badminton, or even cleaning the house.

Family Screen Swap Hour: Pick one hour each evening where everyone swaps screens for a shared activity, like board games, cooking, or a walk outside. The key is doing it together, so no one feels singled out.

The ‘Leave It at the Door’ Rule: Phones and tablets stay outside the bedrooms. Create a charging station in the hallway and make it a family-wide ritual. Fewer late-night scrolling marathons mean better sleep and, as the study shows, potentially better heart health.

For new parents, few decisions feel as important as choosing how to feed their newborn. While breastfeeding is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants, not every family can follow the same path. The key is to ensure that every baby receives adequate nutrition, care, and love, whether through breast milk or infant formula.

Health experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life whenever possible. This recommendation is based on decades of scientific evidence showing that breast milk offers benefits that extend far beyond nutrition.

Breastfeeding Is The Gold Standard

Unlike any other food, breast milk is a dynamic, living substance. It contains the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that an infant needs, while also delivering antibodies, enzymes, and immune cells that help protect against infections. These natural protective factors play a crucial role during the early months when a baby’s immune system is still developing.

One of breast milk’s most remarkable qualities is its ability to adapt. The first milk, known as colostrum, is especially rich in antibodies and acts as a baby’s first natural vaccine. As weeks and months pass, the composition of breast milk changes to match the infant’s evolving nutritional requirements. This ability to respond to a baby’s changing needs cannot be replicated by formula.

The benefits of breastfeeding are reflected in both short- and long-term health outcomes. Babies who are exclusively breastfed are less likely to suffer from diarrhoea, respiratory infections, ear infections, and several digestive illnesses. Breastfeeding also supports the development of a healthy gut microbiome, which contributes to stronger immunity. Studies further suggest that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain allergic conditions later in childhood.

The advantages are not limited to babies alone. Breastfeeding supports a mother’s recovery after childbirth by helping the uterus return to its normal size and reducing postpartum bleeding. It also strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby through close physical contact. In the long term, breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.

When Is Formula Feeding A Necessary Alternative?

That said, breastfeeding is not always possible. Medical conditions, certain medications, low milk production, maternal illness, work commitments, or mental health challenges can make breastfeeding difficult. In such situations, parents should never feel that they have failed.

Modern infant formulas are carefully developed to provide complete nutrition for infants who cannot be breastfed. When prepared correctly, the formula supports healthy growth and development and remains a safe, dependable alternative. Parents should always seek guidance from their paediatrician to choose the most appropriate feeding option for their baby.

Healthy Infant Feeding Without Judgment

It is equally important to remember that healthy feeding is more than what goes into the bottle or breast. The way a baby is fed matters, too. Holding the baby close, maintaining eye contact, responding to hunger cues, and creating a calm, nurturing feeding environment all contribute to emotional security and healthy development.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to infant feeding. Every mother and every baby has unique circumstances, and feeding decisions should be based on medical advice rather than social pressure or comparison.

Breast milk remains the gold standard because of its unmatched nutritional and immune-protective properties. However, when breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula provides a safe and effective alternative that allows babies to thrive.

Ultimately, what matters most is not how a baby is fed, but that every child is nourished, loved, and given the healthiest possible start in life.

By Dr. Sanjay Majmudar, Consultant Paediatrician, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara