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CNN Live Today

Doctors Consider Operating on Newborn Cojoined Twins

Aired April 30, 2002 - 14:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Doctors in London are considering whether to operate on newborn conjoined twins. The girls are joined at the chest and stand little chance of both surviving. ITN's Philip Ray Smith now with their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIP RAY SMITH, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): Twins Natasha and Courtney Smith were born at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea hospital in west London at 10:00 yesterday morning by cesarean section. Their mother, Tina May, spoke of her joy when she saw them for the first time, but also of her despair. The two girls share a heart and liver. Courtney, on the right, must die to give Natasha the best chance of survival.

The doctor who delivered the twins says the birth went smoothly, but their future is unclear.

PROF. NICHOLAS FISK, QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL: The babies share a single liver. That can usually be separated, but there is only one heart, predominantly within the chest cavity of Natasha. As is often the case here, this heart has major abnormalities -- a big hole, and the vessels are switched over and coming out the wrong side. So even in a singleton, this would be quite a problem.

SMITH: Pro-life campaigners want doctors to do all they can to keep both children alive.

ANNE SCANLAN, ACTIVIST: I read the words of the mother when the children were born, the overwhelming love, the bond between the twins. I think I would want to consider every possible alternative to sentencing one of them to death.

SMITH: The twins are now at Great Ormand Street Hospital in London, where surgery could get under way within a month. Philip Ray Smith, ITV News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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