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World record: Healthy twin miraculously born more than three months after her preemie sister – and both are thriving!

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PHOTO: MagazineFeatures.com/CEN
PHOTO: MagazineFeatures.com/CEN

These twin girls from Germany were born more than three months apart in what medics believe is a world record.

Both girls were born at the Holweide hospital in Cologne, located in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The nonidentical twins were even born in different years as Liana came into the world prematurely on 17 November last year after mom Oxana gave birth at just 26 weeks pregnant.

The tiny baby weighed just 900g.

On 22 February, Oxana finally gave birth to Leonie as well – four days after her original due date – having carried the little girl to term.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “After the birth of the first twin, the cervix closed and the unborn sister could remain in the womb.”

As contractions ceased, doctors decided that Oxana could carry her second baby girl to term.

Maternity chief Dr Uwe Schellenberger said: “The conditions were very good as well due to the existing second placenta and we wanted to try to let the second child mature as long as possible in the womb.”

Leonie was born 97 days after her twin sister and weighed 3,7kg at birth.

Dr Schellenberger said it was a rare case for their maternity clinic, but it wasn’t the first time twins had been born on different days at the Holweide hospital.

“But the time difference of 97 days is unique for us and also special worldwide.”

Local media described the births as a “medical sensation” – and according to the hospital it might well be a world record.

Liana spent her first weeks after birth in the perinatal care unit of the hospital to gain full strength after her premature birth.

According to the hospital, the twins now each weigh around 5,7kg and have developed very well.

"The two girls are reunited at their family home and will grow up healthy."

Source: Magazine Features

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