SA’s Cutest Toddler: Tiny twins Amalia and Raffaele born at 24 weeks

Super twins Amalia and Raffaele have overcome multiple health complications in their short lives.

Twins, Amalia and Raffaele with mum, Nikki Ianunzio. Picture: Ben Clark

Super twins, Amalia and Raffaele have defied the odds after being born premature at 24 weeks and enduring multiple medical scares.

After being taken into hospital a few days before the 24 week mark, Nikki Ianunzio gave birth to Raffaele who weighed a tiny 620 grams and little Amalia who weighed in at 570 grams in 2022.

“We didn’t really know what it was going to look like or if they would survive,” Ms Ianunzio said.

“But they were pretty strong and … have overcome lots of hurdles.”

The “micro-prem” pair were in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Baby Unit for a total of 138 days.

Amalia was born weighing 560 grams and was so small, her mum’s ring could fit around her wrist. Picture: Supplied

During this time, the twins were faced with multiple setbacks with Raffaele being diagnosed with pneumothorax after popping a hole in his right lung and suffering from an oesophagus perforation as a result of a nasal gastric tube being misplaced in his small oesophagus.

“Amalia had a little bit more of a tougher journey, she was fine and then at about 25 days old she developed necrotizing enterocolitis which happens when a part of the bowel dies,” Ms Ianunzio said.

“I was pretty much told we could do surgery but she could die on the table, wait until the morning and see how she goes or begin palliative care.

“That was a big night, it was a scary big rollercoaster.”

Ms Ianunzio and her husband Simo took a leap of faith and decided to go ahead with Amalia’s surgery the following morning and fortunately, it was successful.

“We’re very lucky, she showed her fighting spirit and got through the surgery like a true shining star.”

Nikki Ianunzio having her first cuddle with her twins, Raffaele and Amalia, at 43 days old. Picture: Supplied

Premature twins, Raffaele and Amalia. Picture: Supplied

The twins continued to move in and out of NICU and SCBU.

Amalia and Raffaele’s older brothers, Rocco, 4, and Massimo, 2, had also been born premature at 33 weeks, which prepared Ms Ianunzio for the “massive journey” with the twins.

“I’m quite a positive person and I think we just took it one day at a time,” she said.

“We would always celebrate those little milestones that they might have never had.”

Ms Ianunzio said that the support the family received from hospital staff and volunteers was “fantastic” and helped them navigate this emotional and difficult time.

“They had this program called The Little Star Beads Program and every time the child goes through a procedure or a blood test, or you know when they first opened their eyes, first smile, you get a little bead to match whatever you went through,” she said.

“It was gorgeous because it helps you tell the story.”

Twins, Amalia and Raffaele with mum, Nikki Ianunzio. Picture: Ben Clark

The twins still have ongoing medical problems with Amalia being diagnosed with cerebral palsy and Raffaele requiring oxygen to assist his lungs.

Despite also both experiencing a global development delay, the duo have continued to grow into mighty little people who love singing and playing with their older siblings.

“Our little Raff is very, very chatty … and Amalia is very much a little princess, baby girl of the family,” Ms Ianunzio said.

“I think every child is a miracle but I feel like they were a bit of a double miracle.”

Amalia and Raffaele are both nominated in The Advertiser’s Cutest Toddler Competition.

Voting is now open. To vote, click on this link.

You must be a digital subscriber to vote. Only one vote per subscriber, per poll, will be recorded. Voting closes at 8am on Thursday, May 16, and the winner will be revealed at a later date. Read the full terms and conditions here.