In a remarkable achievement, doctors at Aster Women and Children Hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru, successfully saved the lives of premature twins born at just 23 weeks, each weighing slightly over 500 grams. The infants, born to a farming family from Tumkur, are part of an incredibly rare group—about 0.3% of babies globally—who survive after being born with such low birth weights.
The family, who had struggled for years to conceive, turned to fertility treatments, which eventually brought them the joy of twins. However, complications arose as the mother experienced cervical shortening, triggering premature labor. Born 17 weeks early, the babies weighed 550 grams and 540 grams, respectively, and were admitted immediately to the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they received critical care for nearly four months.
Under the guidance of a dedicated medical team led by Dr. Srinivasa Murthy C L (Pediatrics), Dr. Lathiesh Kumar K (Neonatology), and Dr. Sandya Rani (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), the twins overcame numerous challenges associated with their extreme prematurity. They faced severe health risks, including respiratory distress syndrome, brain hemorrhages, and infections due to their underdeveloped organs and immune systems.
Globally, the survival rate for single infants born at 23 weeks is around 23.4%, and cases of twins surviving at this stage are extremely rare, especially in India. This success highlights the exceptional skill and dedication of the medical team and the advanced neonatal care available at the hospital, offering hope to families in similar situations.
