Amelia and Hope Mowfort British twins with osteogenesis imperfecta type III. Date of Birth: 01.01.2018 Country: Great Britain

1. Miraculous Twins Defy Osteogenesis Imperfecta
2. Diagnosed in the Womb
3. Low Chances of Survival
4. Challenging Early Days
5. Adapting to Fragile Bodies
6. Remarkable Milestones
7. Hope for the Future
8. Medical Background

Miraculous Twins Defy Osteogenesis Imperfecta

British twins Amelia and Hope, born with the rare and life-threatening condition osteogenesis imperfecta type III, have astounded doctors with their resilience and determination.

Diagnosed in the Womb

At 13 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed the twins were sharing a placenta, a condition that increased their risk of complications. At 16 weeks, doctors detected curvature in their legs. A specialist scan in London confirmed the presence of multiple fractures in utero. The twins were diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta type III, a condition that can cause fatal breathing problems and can lead to chest deformity, curved spine, fragile teeth, and severe dwarfism.

Low Chances of Survival

"We had thoughts about funerals, which was unbearable," recalled Claire Mayforth, the twins' mother. Despite the grim diagnosis, Amelia and Hope were born prematurely at 35 weeks. Amelia weighed in at 2.27 kg and had five fractured ribs, while Hope weighed only 0.91 kg and struggled to breathe. Both were immediately put on ventilators.

Challenging Early Days

Amelia recovered quickly and spent three weeks in intensive care. Hope, however, faced ongoing health complications, including respiratory failure, high blood pressure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She spent four months in intensive care before being able to join her sister, but recurrent infections and lung problems led to frequent hospitalizations.

Adapting to Fragile Bodies

"We had to learn all sorts of different ways to handle [them], because something as soft as taking Hope's blood pressure could result in a fracture," said Claire. "It's heartbreaking watching them; just movement can cause problems." Some relatives are still afraid to hold the twins out of fear of injuring them.

Remarkable Milestones

Despite the challenges, Claire emphasized that her daughters are "little fighters" who continue to amaze doctors and those around them. "At six months, Amelia rolled over, and at ten, she sat up," Claire explained. "She's now gotten to the point where she's rolling over onto her tummy."

Hope for the Future

To strengthen and straighten their legs, the twins will undergo a surgical procedure to insert metal rods once they turn three. Every three months, they receive infusions of pamidronate, a drug that helps improve bone strength. Through the support of Nice 2b Nice, the Mayforth family has been provided with special medical and sensory equipment.

Medical Background

Osteogenesis imperfecta is caused by an absence, deficiency, or poor quality of collagen, a protein essential for bone structure. It is estimated to affect 1 in 15,000 people worldwide.