Rare condition makes identical twin boys completely different sizes

SEBASTIAN WAS BORN WEIGHING 3LBS AND EMMETT WAS JUST 1LB 9OZ 05:30, 22 May 2025 A mum has shared how a rare condition meant that her identical twin boys were born at drastically different

sizes. Sebastian and Emmett, now nine, are still very different in height, meaning that many people do not realise they are twins. Their mum, Lauren Murphy, was 23 weeks pregnant when she

was warned her unborn babies had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The life-threatening condition affects identical twins who share a placenta, with one baby receiving less blood than the

other, leading to potential complications for both. READ MORE: M5 DRIVER RAMMED BY POLICE AT 80MPH AFTER GOING WRONG WAY DOWN MOTORWAY Sebastian was getting too much blood and nutrients in

the womb, while tiny Emmett wasn't getting enough, resulting in him being half the size of his brother. Article continues below Popstar Jesy Nelson has recently been affected by

twin-to-twin syndrome, with the singer having a successful emergency surgery in March to help save her unborn twins. Doctors warned Lauren and her partner, James, 38, that she was too far

into the pregnancy to receive laser ablation treatment, and there was less than 10 per cent chance of survival for their boys. Lauren, 34, underwent an emergency c-section at 28 weeks - more

than two months early - in a bid to save her babies and they defied the odds to survive. Sebastian was born weighing 3lbs - almost twice the size of tiny Emmett, who was just 1lb 9oz. After

25 blood transfusions and fighting off sepsis three times, Emmett was reunited with his brother seven months after his birth. Miraculously, both pulled through, they're now nine and

"like chalk and cheese" - with Sebastian regularly mistaken for his twin's older brother due to his size difference. Lauren, a senior manager at an underwriting company, from

Halesowen, said: "I had five children under the age of six when the boys came out of hospital. "It's all really in the news at the moment because of Jesy Nelson. "I

remember that feeling, how frightening it was and as a mother how scared it made you feel. “It’s the most frightening thing in pregnancy you can come across because you have absolutely no

control over it. “My heart does go out to her. “You have that joy of having twins, but people don’t realise the risk that comes with it, especially when they’re identical. "My boys are

like chalk and cheese. "Emmett has never caught up with his brother, and I don’t think he ever really will. “Seb is fully caught up and the size he should be for his age. “Emmett is in

age five to six clothing." In terms of the twins' bond, Lauren says it’s been “a work in progress”. “The separation at birth definitely impacted the twin bond," the mum said.

She continued: "They play together nicely, share a room and silly little things they say amongst themselves that no one else understands. "Things can seem the worst of the worst

but what they boys have taught me there's always hope and there is a reason to believe things can and will get better." Emmett has cerebral palsy and is waiting to be assessed for

ADHD, with Sebastian going through the process of being diagnosed for autism. Lauren said: "Emmett is doing really well. "He goes to a special needs school that's perfect

really for his needs. "He is super bright - he loves numbers and reading. "We were told he wouldn't walk, talk or do anything for himself at one point. "He doesn't

let anything stop him ever - he's got the most determination out of anyone I’ve ever met in my life." Sebastian is attending mainstream school and has had "lots of

support". Lauren said: "He's in year four and has only just started to learn to write. "He struggled with his fine motor skills, but school have been fantastic with him.

"He’s doing really well. "He can struggle with friendships - most of his friends are girls because they’re a bit more understanding and nurturing. "He loves dinosaurs and is

completely and utterly obsessed with rollercoasters. "He has a mechanical mind, and I can see him being an engineer when he's older." Despite not having 'the normal twin

relationship,' Lauren has seen the boys grow closer as they've grown up. She said: "Sebastian goes out and plays, Emmett can't go out without supervision. "Over the

past five years he's been in the same space mentally, like a three or four-year-old. "As they're getting older closer in some ways but they're so different. "Emmett

is laid back and a little joker. "They find some of the same stuff funny. "They both love Hot Wheels so will play together with them. "They're so different but there is a

closeness there. "As they’re getting older, they're getting a bit more of an understanding of each other. Article continues below "They’ve taught me to count my blessings

every day, I’m so proud of them and I’m their biggest advocate and I always will be."