Houston doctors planning separation of conjoined twin girls

Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith, pictured with their mother Elysse Mata, were born on April 11, 2014 at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston. The conjoined twins are being cared for by a team of specialists plans for surgical separation are being discussed. less Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith, pictured with their mother Elysse Mata, were born on April 11, 2014 at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston. The conjoined twins are being cared for by a team of ... more Photo: Allen S.Kramer TCH, Allen Kramer For Texas Children’s Hospital Photo: Allen S.Kramer TCH, Allen Kramer For Texas Children’s Hospital Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Houston doctors planning separation of conjoined twin girls 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Identical, conjoined twin girls born April 11 in Houston reportedly are doing well as their doctors discuss plans to surgically separate them.

The girls, Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata, were delivered by Caesarean section at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. They weighed an estimated 3 pounds, 7 ounces each at birth and now weigh an estimated 10 pounds, 4 ounces each.

The babies share a liver, diaphragm, pericardial sac (the lining of the heart) and intestines.

"They're very feisty and playful," said their mother, Elysse Mata of Lubbock. "They love to hear people talk, and they love new people."

Mata and her husband, John Mata, learned that Elysse was carrying conjoined twins during an ultrasound on Jan. 13,

The family was referred to Texas Children's Fetal Center. A team of specialists in the neonatal intensive care unit at Texas Children's is caring for them.

Dr. Stephen Welty, chief of neonatology, said the surgery to separate the twins likely will occur when they are about eight months old.

"We can make no guarantees," Welty said. "We expect it to be technically hard, but that the outcome will be good."

In an earlier statement, Welty said the twins would require respiratory support but "they are doing well and we don't expect them to have any serious setbacks."