LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- "Baby A" and "Baby B" -- the nine-month-old conjoined twin girls separated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles last week -- remain listed in serious condition. According to Niurka Rivera, M.D., an attending physician in the intensive care unit, the decision on whether to move them out of the ICU will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
The identical twins are awake and breathing comfortably on their own. Their vital signs remain stable, as they have since they were separated in a 24-hour surgery that culminated in the morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003.
People interested in helping the family with health care and related personal needs not already provided for, should send their checks payable to: "CHLA Twins Fund," c/o Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #29, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
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 Roberta Nichols, (323) 669-4133; or Steve Rutledge, (323) 669-4121.
Visit our website: www.ChildrensHospitalLA.org