Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) Cases

As a child advocate and attorney, Jeff Killino is at the forefront of medical malpractice issues and has experience and compassion in handling twin pregnancy cases. As a knowledgeable birth injury lawyer, he will handle your claim and guide you through the legal process. Many medical malpractice lawsuits stem from claims for birth injuries involving the birth process as well as problems in the womb that are often preventable. As an experienced birth injury attorney Jeff Killino is committed to defending the victims of medical hardships. He has represented individuals and families who are being faced with the emotional and financial hardships that are associated with birth trauma. As a champion for children and parents, he will examine every factor involved in the birthing process and fight to assure that his clients receive all of the compensation they are entitled to.

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a pregnancy complication and as the name implies has to do with twins. When TTTS occurs, the placenta is unable to provide the right amount of blood and nutrients between what is known as monochorionic twins in uteri. Basically, this condition can happen if the blood vessels of the two fetuses are connected, but one twin gets more blood flow than the other twin from a shared placenta. Medical experts consider this a dangerous condition that can have severe implications.

In a pregnancy that has not progressed to week 26, TTTS can actually cause both babies to die, or lead to severe disabilities. If on the other hand the gestational period reaches beyond the 26 week mark, then the infants can generally be delivered and not suffer any permanent damage.

The twin who filters all of the blood for both twins is known as the donor twin and generally becomes smaller and loses what doctors call amniotic fluid. This fetus will not develop or mature properly mainly because most of its energy is exerted via the blood filtering process. On the other hand, the infant who gets more than the needed amount of blood to survive is commonly referred to as the recipient twin. This fetus can also experience problems because of rapid development. In other words too much blood is flowing through the twin and its system gets overworked.

Statistics

• TTTS affects as many as 15 percent of identical twin pregnancies
• 80 percent of fetuses with TTTS will die if there is no treatment administered
• Effects an estimated 6000 babies a year.
• If the disorder begins in the first two trimesters, it is likely that one or both of the babies will not survive without medical intervention.

Treatment

TTTS can happen at any time during a pregnancy and various risks are associated with this disorder. Treatment options include laser surgery to repair the placenta and normalize blood flow. This procedure is known as fetoscopic laser ablation. In this operation, doctors make a tiny puncture in the woman’s abdomen; insert an endoscope which lets the surgeon stop the vessels that are allowing unequal exchange of blood between fetuses. This procedure basically uses a laser beam to coagulate the blood in these vessels, essentially blocking them.

Laser Surgery Complications

Research shows that this procedure is limited to being performed in only a small number of hospitals throughout the world and as with many medical procedures, the incidence of potential brain damage, including severe cerebral lesions increase in twin-to-twin transfusions.

Contact Birth Trauma Attorney Jeffrey Killino

Did medical negligence contribute to your child’s brain damage? If you believe a healthcare worker had something to do with your child’s disability at birth, please take a moment to get in touch with an experienced birth trauma and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your child’s injuries. As an experienced birth injury attorney, Jeffrey Killino can review your case to determine its validity. Contact birth injury lawyer Jeffrey Killino today.