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Infant zygosity can be assigned by parental report questionnaire data
Insights
Parental questionnaires accurately determine twin zygosity in 95% of cases at 18 months. This reliable method for assessing zygosity in infants is confirmed by follow-up studies.
Area of Science:
- Twin studies
- Genetics
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Determining zygosity (the genetic identity of twins) is crucial for twin research.
- Accurate zygosity determination in infancy is essential for longitudinal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a parental report questionnaire for determining twin zygosity in 18-month-old infants.
- To assess the reliability of the questionnaire upon re-administration at 3 years of age.
Main Methods:
- A parental report questionnaire was administered to a population sample of 18-month-old twins.
- Zygosity determined by the questionnaire was validated against zygosity determined by polymorphic DNA markers.
- The questionnaire was re-administered to the same children at 3 years of age.
Main Results:
- The questionnaire correctly assigned zygosity in 95% of cases when compared to DNA-based zygosity determination.
- At 3 years of age, 96% of children were assigned the same zygosity on both questionnaire administrations.
- High concordance between questionnaire-based and DNA-based zygosity indicates the method's validity.
Conclusions:
- Parental report questionnaires provide a valid and accurate method for determining twin zygosity in infancy.
- This validated tool can be effectively used in large-scale population studies involving twins.
- The reliability of the questionnaire supports its use for tracking zygosity over early childhood development.
Abstract:
A parental report questionnaire posted to a population sample of 18-month-old twins correctly assigned zygosity in 95%of cases when validated against zygosity determined by identity of polymorphic DNA markers. The questionnaire was as accurate when readministered at 3 years of age, with 96% of children being assigned the same zygosity on both occasions. The results validate the use of parental report questionnaire data to determine zygosity in infancy.