LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- "Baby A" and "Baby B" -- the nine-month-old conjoined twin girls separated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles last week -- are awake and breathing comfortably on their own. After the babies' breathing tubes were removed yesterday, the ICU nurses moved the girls' beds close together so they can see one another, and according to Niurka Rivera, M.D., an attending physician in the ICU, they occasionally reach out to each other.
The twins may be moved out of intensive care as soon as tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 17). Both remain listed in serious condition with stable vital signs, following the 24-hour separation surgery that culminated in the morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003.
Note: Due to a request by the parents, no filming or photographing of the twins is permitted by media, however they have allowed Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to make available selected photos and b-roll taken by a hospital photographer and videographer. Nineteen images may be viewed on the hospital website (www.childrenshospitalLA.org), and are available as high resolution JPEGs. B-roll also is available that includes footage of the babies prior to surgery, as well as the surgery itself.
Requests for interviews with the surgical team leader, Dr. James Stein, or other members of the surgical team may be coordinated through the hospital's Office of Communications. Please contact either Roberta Nichols, (323) 669-4133; or Steve Rutledge, (323) 669-4121.