Nina Sparano, the daughter of Daniel and Marija Sparano, was born with Pierre Robin syndrome and has subsequently undergone many surgeries and intensive rehabilitation.
Two identical twin sisters met for the first time nearly a year after they were born.
According to Good Morning America, Nina and Emma Sparano arrived 11 months ago via cesarean section at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City.
Nina, the younger sister, was born with a rare illness known as Pierre Robin syndrome, according to Dr. Dennis Davidson, neonatologist and Unit Chief of the Baby and Toddler Unit at Blythedale Children’s Hospital.
According to Davidson, the disorder “is often characterized by an underdeveloped jaw, a cleft palate, and a tongue positioned further back in the mouth.”
According to GMA and Westchester News 12, Nina was transported to Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla last September and got ongoing care.
Nina was able to meet her twin sister Emma for the first time on Monday, despite the fact that she is still in the hospital.
According to GMA, father Daniel Sparano, 36, said it was “simply so lovely” to be with both of his girls at the same time. During the memorable reunion, his wife Marija Sparano, 37, held Nina.
“I started crying as soon as we walked out of the hospital,” she told the news source. “It was quite emotional.”
According to the reports, Nina and Emma are monochorionic diamniotic twins.
According to the website of Columbia University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins share one placenta while in separate amniotic sacs.
Nina was “essentially stuck in her sac,” according to Daniel, which hampered her growth in the womb.
“She was growing with [the sac] covering her lips and pulling her jaw down, causing a… cleft palate,” the twins’ father explained to the site.
According to GMA, Nina was admitted to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital shortly after birth.
According to Davidson, Nina has had many surgeries to fix her jaw and has received extensive therapy both before and after the treatments.
“Nina has reached so many crucial developmental milestones since she was admitted to Blythedale,” Davidson says, noting that the baby has “quadrupled her birth weight” of 4.5 pounds.
Nina and Emma’s first meeting ultimately took place outside Blythedale on Monday, according to GMA.
“For our medical staff, it was a very special moment to watch Nina reunite with her twin sister Emma, and the family all together for the first time since the girls were born,” Davidson tells PEOPLE.
According to ABC affiliate WABC-TV, Marija praised Nina as a “little warrior,” adding, “She’s like a caterpillar developing into a butterfly.”
“Slowly. Slowly, “Their mother added. “She’ll be there in time.”
