Mum kept alive for a month to save twins

A WOMAN declared brain dead from aneurysms was kept on a respirator for a month to allow twin boys who were born prematurely at 25 weeks to develop.

Nicholas and Alexander Bolden weighed less than 2lbs when they were born by Caesarean section on April 5 and are on ventilators in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

It was a rare procedure. In 2010, German researchers found just 30 similar cases worldwide dating back to 1982.

"We certainly hope they make it, but at this time they're too young to make a confident prognosis," Mr Rossman said.

"Children born this early will be at high risk for chronic conditions. It's too soon to tell."

Delivery

Christine Bolden (26) of Muskegon, collapsed from brain aneurysms on March 1. She was declared brain dead five days later, but doctors kept her on a respirator until it was time to remove the boys, Mr Rossman said.

Ms Bolden's family asked doctors "to drop everything we could to save these babies. It wasn't that difficult a call", Mr Rossman said. "It required a lot of evaluations and discussions among our staff. They had to at least get to 24 weeks before we could consider delivery."

Ms Bolden's brother, Vance Terrell, said he offered his sister encouraging words during visits to the hospital, even though she could not see or hear him, and would never hold her sons.

hnews@herald.ie