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>> I THINK THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT
TWIN-TO-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME IS THE FACT THAT
YOU HAVE TWO BABIES COMPETING FOR THE SAME THING
AND THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE A DECISION TO BENEFIT
BOTH BABIES, BUT YOU MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION, THE BABIES
MAY NOT MEDICALLY ALLOW THAT.
>> IN THIS DISEASE PROCESS WITH THE SHARED PLACENTA
THE RISK BECOMES IF ONE OF THE FETUSES DIES IT CAN HAVE
A REALLY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE OTHER FETUS.
>> BECAUSE THE FATES OF THE TWO BABIES ARE LINKED,
IF ONE WERE TO DIE IT PUTS THE OTHER BABY AT EXTREMELY
HIGH RISK FOR EITHER DEATH OR INJURY.
IN THOSE CASES YOU CAN SELECTIVELY CUT OFF
THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BABY WHO'S GOING TO DIE ANYWAY
AND THUS PRESERVE THE PLACENTA AND THE RISK
OF DEATH, OR PREVENT THE RISK OF DEATH OR A NEUROLOGIC
INJURY TO THE OTHER BABY.
>> SACRIFICING THAT REALLY ILL TWIN FOR THE SAKE
OF THE OTHER TWIN.
AND THAT'S A TREMENDOUSLY AGONIZING DECISION
FOR FAMILIES TO HAVE TO MAKE.
IT'S ALMOST A SOPHIE'S CHOICE FOR THEM.
>> I DON'T THINK ANY OTHER ANOMALY THAT WE DEAL WITH
IS AS DIFFICULT AS THAT.
>> THE FACT THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM THROUGH
THE PREGNANCY AND WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM
ENABLES US TO HELP THEM THROUGH THAT REALLY,
REALLY TERRIBLE TIME.