These Are The Rarest Triplets On Earth

Sep 17, 2021 by apost team

In this story from 2016, New York State residents Amy and Michael Howard were set to become the proud parents of triplets. The couple was ecstatic to finally meet their three babies. However, not everything was good news when the triplets were born in October of that year. Doctors discovered that the three boys had a rare condition of the skull called craniosynostosis.

This rare condition — the probability of seeing it again in triplets is 1 in 160 trillion — means that one or more of the joints in the babies' skulls are fused prematurely, according to the CDC. The babies, who are named Kaden, Jackson and Hunter, underwent a procedure that had never been performed on triplets before, as Stony Brook Children's hospital explains on their website. It was known as a mildly invasive endoscopic procedure. The premature fusions in the brains of the triplets occurred at the sutures. This fusion would have caused a significant restriction on the growth of their brains. Normally, a child's skull increases in size as their brain grows.

These triplets would have had abnormally shaped heads and brains suffering from tremendous amounts of pressure. If the rare condition wasn't treated in a timely manner, there was a good chance that the children would have suffered from vision and brain damage.

So, at 11 weeks of age, the three adorable boys underwent surgery to correct these issues. While there's a risk with every surgery, this was necessary to ensure the boys would be able to grow up without any further complications. Their surgery was performed by Dr. David A. Chesler, who is an expert on craniosynostosis.

Read on to learn more about what some outlets are calling the "rarest triplets in the world." 

After the successful procedures, the triplets were able to go home with their parents after only a few days in the hospital. Following the surgeries, the triplets had to wear specially designed helmets to protect their sensitive skulls. After wearing these helmets for 23 hours each day for many months, they were finally able to take them off. The triplets were "still thriving a year later," according to the hospital. Despite their skull condition, the procedures were able to greatly improve their quality of life for the future and the immediate present. Fortunately, the boys don't seem to be experiencing any medical problems after their surgeries.

All three of the triplets visited Dr. Chesler a while after their surgeries, according to the hospital's website. Dr. Chesler was very satisfied with the progress that the infants were making and added that they aren't showing any signs of the condition anymore. In fact, the boys all had full heads of hair during their visit, which took place months after the surgeries.

“You couldn’t tell they had surgery unless you looked for the scars," Dr. Chesler explained.

“I couldn’t be happier with their progress. They’re right where they’re supposed to be," he added.

The expert on craniosynostosis will be following the triplets regularly for the next four to five years. In reality, craniosynostosis isn't an exceptionally rare condition. It was the circumstances of this particular case that made the situation rare. The odds of three triplets developing the same condition are very low. The hospital states that there is one case in every 2,500 births, but for all three triplets to have the condition is estimated to be only one in 160 trillion! 

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During a press conference after the triplets had their surgery, Amy revealed how "extremely scary" it was to first learn of her three sons' diagnoses. Michael revealed that the couple was "freaking out," before Amy added that it was "stressful." The couple explained that they were just getting used to having three babies in the first place — with the triplets being their first children — when they realized there was a bigger medical issue at hand.

Amy spoke of being worried about Kaden's vision and any potential brain damage in all three of the boys, but now that they're all fine and this is all behind them, the parents are settling into parenthood very well. Following the operations, the doting mother said how "phenomenal" their heads look, and it's all thanks to Dr. Chesler. Despite the stress they underwent for a while, a relieved Amy spoke about how "it all turned out great."

It must be a huge sign of relief for the parents now that everything is behind them. On the hospital's website, Amy mentioned that she's enjoying watching her toddlers learn to walk and talk. Jackson, Hunter and Kaden are said to have animated triplet baby conversations, and each of their distinctive personalities are beginning to emerge. The triplets overcame their condition and defied all odds with their incredible recoveries. Still so young, the boys surely have no idea just how inspirational their story is to others around the world. These three brave children have inspired other people to never give up when faced with difficult challenges in life.

What do you think about this story? Were you relieved to hear that all three baby boys are doing well? Let us know, and be sure to spread the word about this inspiring story!