A medical team in Missouri has announced the successful separation of infant twin sisters who were born conjoined at the head. The siblings, named Hiyab and Wuhbto, underwent a grueling surgical procedure in late February at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. The operation lasted more than twenty four hours and required a coordinated effort from a multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure the safety of both children.
The journey toward this milestone began over a year ago when the twins traveled from their home country of Ethiopia to the United States in March 2025 to prepare for the complex intervention. Now two years old, the sisters are spending their time recovering through intensive care and specialized rehabilitation. While doctors say it is still too early to determine their exact long term developmental path, they emphasize that the surgery provided life changing opportunities that simply would not have existed otherwise.
Currently, Hiyab and Wuhbto are receiving rehabilitative services at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights. Medical staff report that the girls are making remarkable progress, learning how to perform basic daily activities that were impossible while joined, such as sitting upright. They are currently working on critical milestones including eating, speaking, and socializing with other children, which includes finally getting to play together as separate individuals.
This success was made possible by a massive international collaboration involving various healthcare providers and nonprofit organizations. Partners included World Pediatrics, Lola Children’s Home in Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines, and the Ronald McDonald House of Charities. Such cases remain incredibly rare globally, occurring in roughly one out of every fifty thousand to one hundred thousand live births, making this outcome a significant victory for the families and surgeons involved.
