Physical and mental development of Turkish twins (original) (raw)

Follow-up of twins: Health, behaviour, speech, language outcomes and implications for parents

Early Human Development, 2006

The introduction of assisted reproduction has resulted in a growing number of multiple births. These infants and their parents experience increased, and sometimes unique, medical and psychological risks when compared to singletons. Rates of maternal morbidity, fetal and infant mortality are increased in multiple pregnancies. Twins have a death rate four times higher than singletons and this figure is six times higher for triplets. The main reason is preterm and very preterm birth in multiples, resulting in low and very low birth weight children. Perinatal mortality and morbidity are also more elevated in monozygotic (MZ) twins as compared to dizygotic (DZ) twins. In addition to an increased risk of mortality, multiples have higher rates of morbidity, specifically cerebral palsy and mental subnormality. Language and speech delays are more pronounced in multiples, as are cognitive delays, motor development, behavioural problems and difficulties in parent-child interactions. Depression among parents of multiples is reported to be higher than those of singletons. This paper aims to critically appraise the literature regarding the aforementioned topics, including a comparison between the outcomes for iatrogenic and spontaneously conceived twins and to suggest areas for further research.

Twin-singleton influence on infant development: a national birth cohort study

Child Care Health and Development, 2009

Background While studying the development of twins, gestational age and birthweight were suggested as two of the major mediators to be considered. In addition, maternal age, maternal education, parental income and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) also should be considered as moderators. Thus the purpose of this study was to investigate the mediators and moderators of twin and singleton development. Methods Being a national birth cohort study, 21 648 infants were randomly selected and developmental measures were assessed at 6 and 18 months post partum. Children's development at 6 and 18 months were measured using the high reliable Taiwan Birth Cohort Study instrument, which measures children's development in four domains of gross motor, fine motor, language and social development. Additionally, maternal sociodemographics including maternal age, maternal education and parental income; children's characteristics including gender, birthweight, gestational age, single or multiple births, ART or natural conception information were also collected. These data were analysed using a three-step multiple linear regression analysis and further validated using structural equation modelling. Results Parental sociodemographics, children characteristics and being twin all had effect on children's development. Additionally, ART and twin were mediators between maternal age and children's development. Mothers aged over 40 were more likely to choose ART, thus increases their likelihood of having twins. Additionally, mothers aged over 40 were more likely to give birth to premature or low-birthweight babies, regardless if they were twin or not. Twins had a higher prevalence of prematurity or low birthweight, which also affected their development in all four domains at 6 and 18 months. Thus prematurity and low birthweight were mediating factors between twin and children's development; with these two mediating factors controlled, there were no difference between twin and singleton development. Conclusions The conceptual construct of structural equation modelling showed these factors interacted and influenced children's development through multiple pathways. Medical intervention may facilitate children's development through prenatal growth and premature care.

Maternal and Neonatal Variables in Twins: an Epidemiological Approach

Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research, 1996

Population studies on human twinning are scarce in Argentina. In order to analyze frequencies and certain maternal and neonatal variables related to twin births, we studied a series of 69.678 consecutive newborns with 500 g of weight and over, which occurred at a public hospital in the province Buenos Aires, during 14 years (1982-1995). The frequency of twin births (10 per 1000 deliveries) and sex ratio were similar to other studies reported in Caucasian population. Maternal age and order of gravity/parity were positively correlated with twinning rates, more markedly so in dissimilar sex-pairs. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths were more frequent in twins than in singletons, but less frequent when comparing groups of same weight. Congenital malformations were not found to be significantly more frequent in twins than in the total newborn population. However, their occurrence, predominantly in like-sexed pairs and the concordance for defect type in doubly affected same-sex pairs, sugges...

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Twins Compared With Singleton Children: A Systematic Review

Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies, 2018

More than 200 million children aged <5 years fail to reach their full cognitive potential, and children born as twins are particularly at risk. In this article, we review studies that examined differences in the neurodevelopmental outcomes of twins compared to singletons. We searched the Medline database for articles on twins, singletons, neuro, and cognitive development. We also inspected bibliographies of relevant publications to identify related articles from 2011 to 2017. Our search criteria yielded 162 studies, 8 of which met the inclusion criteria. Of the eight studies examined, four were prospective follow-up studies, three were cross-sectional studies, and one was a randomized controlled trial. Five of these studies were carried out in developed countries, and they found no statistically significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes among twins and singletons. However, two of the three studies carried out in developing countries found a difference with singletons ...

Language assessment of non‐handicapped twins at 5 years of age

Pediatrics International, 2011

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine language levels in twins and singletons born after at least 34 weeks gestation and without identifiable neurological abnormality and to evaluate whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) affects language development in twin pregnancies.Methods: A prospective study of a large cohort of all children born between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2003 was carried out at Gazi University Hospital. All live‐born twin pairs in which both twins survived were identified, and a comparable sample of families with pairs of singletons were chosen. The Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale Form and the translated Turkish form of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were completed at 60 months.Results: Even after excluding the most premature twins and those with diagnosable neurological damage, twins performed worse than singletons on language development tests. Twin girls had better scores than twin boys. A statistically significant difference was f...

Determination of Birth Outcomes Among Twins

2015

Background :To determine the birth outcomes among twins in terms of mean gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score. Methods: In this descriptive study twin pregnant women were selected among the women attending the antenatal clinic and emergency . Ultrasound for the determination of chorionicity (number of placentae i.e. either one or two placentae) of twins was performed. Cases were followed till the time of delivery . At the time of delivery birth outcomes i.e. gestational age , birth weights and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were noted on the study performa by attending obstetrician. Gestational age at the time of delivery was determined by last menstrual period or by ultrasound. Digital scale machine was used for determining birth weights in grams . Five parameters of Apgar scores, at 1 and 5 minutes, after birth were determined .These included A appearance, P pulse rate, G grimace, A activity, R respiratory effort. Each parameter was given a score of 0, 1 or 2. Results: O...

Association of Gestational Age at Birth With Risk of Perinatal Mortality and Special Educational Need Among Twins

JAMA Pediatrics

IMPORTANCE Twin pregnancies account for 3% of live births but experience substantially more perinatal morbidity and mortality than singleton pregnancies. Optimizing the timing of birth is a key strategy in improving twin pregnancy outcomes. Current UK and US policies are based on observational studies of perinatal mortality and not on longer-term effects. The association of timing of birth with long-term childhood outcomes among twins is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To identify the optimal gestation week for birth of twin infants by calculating the week of birth associated with the lowest risk of short-term and long-term adverse outcomes (perinatal mortality and special educational need [SEN] at school). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This population-based, data-linkage cohort study included 43 133 twin infants born at a gestational age of 34 weeks onward between

Abstracts for the 15th International Congress on Twin Studies and the 3rd World Congress on Twin Pregnancy

Twin Research and Human Genetics, 2014

Introduction: Previous longitudinal studies have shown that the motor proficiency in early life may act as a determinant of physical activity in later life. However, familial factors including genetic effects may explain the association, but long-term follow-up studies taking into account potential confounding by family background are still missing. The study design of discordant same-sex twin pairs enables adjustment for genetic, familial and other factors shared by co-twins. The aim of the present twin study was to investigate whether the parental reports of within-pair differences in childhood motor skill development are associated with self-reported leisure-time physical activity levels in young adulthood independently of familial background. Materials and Methods: Participants were identified from two ongoing Finnish twin studies, the FinnTwin12 and FinnTwin16 studies. 1,550 twin pairs (795 MZ, 755 same-sexed DZ) from the FinnTwin12 study and 1,752 twin pairs (882 MZ, same-sexed 871 DZ) from the FinnTwin16 study with the relevant variables were included in the analysis. Childhood motor development was assessed by questionnaire sent to the parents at baseline (age 11 for FinnTwin12 and age 16 for FinnTwin16). Parents reported whether one or the other of the co-twins had been ahead in motor skill development in infancy and childhood. The motor skill development indicators assessed were: (1) turning over from back to stomach, (2) standing unaided, (3) walking unaided, (4) climbing stairs unaided, (5) general motor skills at age 6 years, (6) agility in childhood and (7) physical strength in childhood. Leisure-time physical activity was assessed at wave 4 of each study, when the twins were young adults (mean age 24.4 years, SD 1.3 years, range 19-28). Leisure-time physical activity was based on questionnaire data, and the activity level was assessed as leisure-time MET hours/day. The associations between the pairwise differences in childhood motor development indicators and pairwise differences in leisure-time physical activity levels in young adulthood were analyzed using conditional linear regression analysis. Results: In both cohorts, learning to stand unaided earlier in infancy predicted higher leisure-time MET values in young adulthood (FinnTwin16 p = .001 and FinnTwin12 p = .02).

Growth and development of twins compared with singletons at ages one and four years

Indian pediatrics, 1997

To compare the growth and development of twins with normal control singletons and also with matched 'high risk' singletons, at one and four years of age. A four year prospective follow up study. High risk clinic (HRC) of a referral hospital. Twin pairs enrolled in the HRC; normal full term singleton controls; and high risk "matched" singletons enrolled in the HRC. The height, weight and head circumference was measured at one and four years. Development was assessed at 1 year using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. At 4 years, the intelligence quotient was determined by the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale. Forty two twins and an equal number of controls were assessed at one year. All the twins weighed less than 2 kg at birth. They lagged behind in all three parameters of growth, namely, height, weight and head circumference. AT 4 years, 24 twins came for follow up. Although, they had caught up for head circumference, they lagged behind in height and weight,...