Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a pregnancy complication that, if dealt with incorrectly by an obstetrician or other medical professional, can cause severe birth injuries to one or both babies.
About TTTS
When TTTS arises, the placenta that delivers nutrients to twins who share blood vessels delivers more blood to one twin, leaving the other with inadequate blood flow. As blood moves between the twins, the “recipient twin” typically gets more blood than the “donor twin,” who loses amniotic fluid. TTTS can have very negative health effects on both babies, depending on the specific symptoms.
Birth Injuries From TTTS
Health complications at birth vary, but the donor twin may present with anemia, dehydration, and small size. The recipient twin is often heavier/larger with unusually high blood pressure and a reddish skin color. Recipient twins are prone to heart problems due to the excess blood, and donor twins face developmental problems due to the lack of blood.
Diagnosis usually involves a CBC (complete blood count) test, chest X-rays, a metabolic panel, and blood clotting tests. It is imperative that TTTS is discovered while in the womb, as the condition is often fatal if left untreated.
Fighting TTTS Medical Negligence
Medical malpractice may have occurred if your delivery team either failed to diagnose TTTS while in the womb or failed to treat the symptoms properly once the disorder was discovered. In many TTTS malpractice cases, treatments like fetal laser surgery or amniocentesis could have helped restore normal blood flow during pregnancy. In other cases, failure to perform a necessary blood transfusion to the donor twin or administer cardiac care to the recipient twin resulted in life-threatening injuries.
If your children were harmed by TTTS and you feel that more could have been done to help them, talk to a skilled legal team. The attorney should have experience investigating cases where careless medical professionals caused harm to innocent twins.
To learn more about Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome and your legal rights, please contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today.