March 3, 2022 is being recognized at International TAPS Day, a time to spread awareness among the general public and the medical field about twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) a rare complication that occurs in twin pregnancies. This year, the TAPS Support Foundation is organizing around the event with the theme “Connecting The World to Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence.”
TAPS is a type of chronic inter-twin transfusion in which the red blood cells counts between the fetuses differ greatly. The condition was formally described in 2006. TAPS can occur spontaneously or as a complication following surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. As the condition was first named on March 3, this was the date selected for International TAPS Day. Surgery-related TAPS can sometimes be prevented by the use of the Solomon technique during fetoscopic laser therapy.
With a theme centered around connections (a reference to the tiny connections in the placenta that are present in TAPS), the TAPS Support Foundation is hoping to foster connections between research and people that are impacted by the illness. Since the condition was first described, there has been significant research progress. New signs of TAPS have been identified, allowing the disease to be recognized more quickly and accurately, claims professor Enrico Lopriore.
Play Your Part
- To get involved in the event this year, download the TAPS beachball or video, found here.
- Then make sure to share them publicly on all of your social media platforms.
- You can also follow the TAPS Support Foundation and leave a comment on one of their posts if you don’t feel ready to share in your own post.
- Share your TAPS story or your connection to the condition in a brief post that shares your country and city.
- Tag the foundation on your social media platform of choice (@tapssupport).
- Don’t forget to use the hashtags #TAPSisReal and #TAPSDay.
Learn more about the TAPS Support Foundation here.
