Twins at home together at last

Axel was about 500g. Photo / Janna Dixon

Baby Axel Crossley-Coe has finally been allowed home to join his identical twin brother Kyan, five months after being born with a rare and life-threatening condition.

Their teenage mother Kayla was relieved to finally have the twins home together in Kerikeri.

"They hold hands and giggle," she said. "It's really cute."

Axel was deprived of blood and nutrition in the womb as Kyan thrived at his expense. The smaller twin was born weighing little more than 500g - a third of his brother's size.

The mortality rate of twins with the syndrome - known as twin to twin transfusion syndrome - is between 30 and 40 per cent and doctors warned Kayla there was a serious risk she could lose one or both babies.

Beating the odds, Axel has had blood transfusions, a hernia operation and treatment for his liver.

He now weighs 3.7kg - "about the size of a newborn".

"Axel still has his moments but he's getting there," Kayla said.

"With all of the support I'm getting from family and friends it's been really good."