Pioneering ultrasound treatment saves identical twins from rare pregnancy condition

A non-invasive procedure using high-powered sound waves has successfully treated twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, with two healthy babies born and initial trial results published.

• Doctors at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital used focused ultrasound to seal blood vessels in Brioney Garrett's placenta, allowing her identical twins Nancy and Margo to be born healthy.
• The trial, reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that half of the 10 women required further treatment and 12 of 20 twin babies survived after the procedure.
• The procedure blocked blood flow in 90% of treated blood vessels, and no unwanted side-effects were observed, according to the researchers.
• Prof Christoph Lees, head of fetal medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said the results were "very promising" but larger studies are needed before the treatment can be offered more widely.