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03/12/2008
Conjoined Twin Dies Following Surgery
One of the conjoined twins born last week has died following an operation to separate her from her sister.
Laura Williams, 18, from Shrewsbury, became Britain's youngest mother to give birth to conjoined twins Faith and Hope on 26 November.
Hope Williams died after 12 hours of surgery, and her sister Faith is said to be in a stable condition. She is in intensive care, and she will need further surgery to close her stomach.
Doctors began the complicated procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital on Tuesday.
The hospital released a statement on Wednesday confirming the baby died.
Professor Agostino Pierro, head of the surgical team which operated on the girls, said Hope died in the presence of her parents and her sister, Faith, was in a "stable condition".
He said her breathing is being supported, and admitted: "It's early days. She is improving, though complications can occur."
He also said over 20 staff were involved and the twins were moved into different theatres after the separation.
A statement from Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "This was an emergency operation because there was a blockage in their adjoined intestine which could only be resolved through separation."
Professor Pierro added: "The technical separation worked well - although it was extremely challenging - and went according to plan. Over 20 staff were involved with the children moved into different theatres after separation.
"However, very sadly, after separation baby Hope's lungs proved too small to support her breathing and she died last night in the presence of her parents.
"They are clearly devastated by the loss of their daughter and we offer them our deepest condolences on their loss."
The twin girls were born last Wednesday, 26 November, and were joined from their breastbone to their naval, sharing a liver, but having separate hearts. They were born by Caesarean section at London's University College Hospital.
The operation to separate the twins was due to take place later in the week, however, it was brought forward after concerns developed on Monday night, the hospital said.
(JM)
Laura Williams, 18, from Shrewsbury, became Britain's youngest mother to give birth to conjoined twins Faith and Hope on 26 November.
Hope Williams died after 12 hours of surgery, and her sister Faith is said to be in a stable condition. She is in intensive care, and she will need further surgery to close her stomach.
Doctors began the complicated procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital on Tuesday.
The hospital released a statement on Wednesday confirming the baby died.
Professor Agostino Pierro, head of the surgical team which operated on the girls, said Hope died in the presence of her parents and her sister, Faith, was in a "stable condition".
He said her breathing is being supported, and admitted: "It's early days. She is improving, though complications can occur."
He also said over 20 staff were involved and the twins were moved into different theatres after the separation.
A statement from Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "This was an emergency operation because there was a blockage in their adjoined intestine which could only be resolved through separation."
Professor Pierro added: "The technical separation worked well - although it was extremely challenging - and went according to plan. Over 20 staff were involved with the children moved into different theatres after separation.
"However, very sadly, after separation baby Hope's lungs proved too small to support her breathing and she died last night in the presence of her parents.
"They are clearly devastated by the loss of their daughter and we offer them our deepest condolences on their loss."
The twin girls were born last Wednesday, 26 November, and were joined from their breastbone to their naval, sharing a liver, but having separate hearts. They were born by Caesarean section at London's University College Hospital.
The operation to separate the twins was due to take place later in the week, however, it was brought forward after concerns developed on Monday night, the hospital said.
(JM)
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