St. Louis, Mo. – In a landmark medical achievement, a team of specialists at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital successfully separated infant twin sisters who were born conjoined at the head. The complex operation, performed on February 24‑25, lasted more than 24 hours and involved surgeons, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation experts from multiple disciplines.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Now more than six months post‑surgery, the twins, Hiyab and Wuhbto, are receiving intensive care and rehabilitative services at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights, Mo. According to Dr. Nick Holekamp, chief health transformation officer at Ranken Jordan, the children are already engaging in individualized therapies, learning to sit upright, eat, speak, and interact with peers—including each other. “It’s really remarkable,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Medical Perspective
Dr. Joanna Kemp, head neurological surgeon who led the separation, emphasized the long‑term outlook remains uncertain but highlighted the new opportunities the surgery creates. “It is still too soon to know exactly what their long‑term development will look like, but what we do know is that they now have opportunities that would not have been possible without this intervention,” she explained.
International Collaboration
The twins traveled from Ethiopia to the United States in March 2025 to undergo the procedure. Their journey was supported by a coalition of organizations, including the nonprofit World Pediatrics, Lola Children’s Home in Ethiopia, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, Ethiopian Airlines, and other global partners. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of faith‑based and community support in delivering life‑saving medical care.
Rarity of the Condition
Conjoined twins are an extremely rare birth anomaly. StatPearls, an online medical library, estimates the incidence at roughly one in every 50,000 to 100,000 live births, with girls three times more likely to be affected than boys. The successful separation of Hiyab and Wubto adds to a limited number of cases worldwide where such intricate cranial surgeries have been performed.
Looking Ahead
While the twins continue to undergo physical therapy and speech development, their families and medical team remain hopeful. The successful separation not only offers the children a chance at a more typical childhood but also serves as an inspiring example of what modern medicine, bolstered by community and faith‑based partnerships, can achieve.
For more information on the ongoing care of Hiyab and Wubto, or to support families facing similar challenges, please contact Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
