Tragic news from Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petach Tikvah R”L as preemie twins died of a viral infection that hit their digestive tracts. The two were born in Beilinson Hospital but after their conditions deteriorated, they were transported to Schneider where they were admitted to a preemie intensive care unit.

According to Prof. Leah Serota, head of Schneider’s preemie unit, the two were infected with an enterovirus most likely given to them by their mother shortly before birth. Hospital officials are certain the virus has not spread to other children. The twins died within 24 hours of one another due to systemic collapse. Professor Serota explained that the virus is not an unknown, but nonetheless rare, seen in Israel once in every “five to ten years”, explaining that unlike a bacterial infection where antibiotic therapy is given; there are no pills for the viral infection. The professor explains that the preemies were simply too underdeveloped and weak to combat the virus.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)