Rare Identical Twins with Down Syndrome Are Called “Little Gems” by Their Proud Mom

Twin births have increased over the years, but identical twins remain uncommon—only about 3 to 4 out of every 1,000 births. Now imagine how rare it is to have identical twins both diagnosed with Down syndrome.

That’s exactly what happened to 23-year-old Savannah Combs from Middleburg, Florida. She was thrilled to learn she was expecting identical twin girls, then faced the unexpected news: both babies had Down syndrome. “It’s very rare what they have, but they’ve been my little gems,” Savannah told News4JAX.

Despite doctors advising her to consider termination, Savannah chose hope. “Every appointment they were alive was a blessing to me,” she shared on TikTok, where she openly documents their journey. Her husband, Justin Ackerman, was away at boot camp while Savannah carried their daughters until 29 weeks.

Born premature on May 12, 2021, Kennadi Rue and Mckenli Ackerman spent weeks in the NICU before coming home healthy. The twins are “mono-di,” meaning they each had their own sacs but shared a placenta—a rare form of identical twins. Add Down syndrome on top, and Savannah estimates their odds at one in two million.

Today, Savannah is a passionate advocate for her daughters, celebrating their abilities and the joy they bring. Their story is a powerful reminder of resilience, love, and the beauty in life’s unexpected journeys.