Conjoined twins born at Wilford Hall

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mike Chillstrom
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Conjoined twins Brynleigh and Victoria Smith beat the odds when they were born July 25 at Wilford Hall Medical Center here.

While roughly 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, Brynleigh and Victoria survived birth. However, their premature lungs required immediate ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The only time the twins have not been hooked up to life-saving equipment was the short walk from the delivery room to intensive care, according to officials.

“Brynleigh and Victoria have overcome many obstacles to bring them this far,” said their mother Dawn, wife of Army Spc. Matthew Smith, a topographical analyst stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. “We feel that God has brought us to the place where our babies will receive the best care. The doctors and nurses here at Wilford Hall Medical Center are incredible.”

The girls, who share a liver, a six-chamber heart and possibly some intestines, are joined from chest to stomach. Physicians concluded the twins are inseparable because of the heart’s complexity. However, Maj. (Dr.) Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist, believes the twins can survive into their early adult years with their unique heart.

In the more immediate future, a surgery aims to repair the babies’ exposed intestines. From there, the medical staff and the Smith family are taking things one day at a time.

“(The twins’) future is still unknown, but we will accept every moment with them as a gift and be grateful that we could be part of this miracle,” Dawn said.

A positive, mature attitude has helped the Smiths throughout this tough situation, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Brian Hall, the chief of neonatal services.

“It’s inspiring to work with families like this,” Hall said in a press conference. “The way they are able to deal with it is impressive.” (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)