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Development and behaviour of seven-year-old triplets
1Epidemiological Research Unit on Perinatal and Women's Health, INSERM U 149, Villejuif, France. garel@vjf.inserm.fr
Insights
This study found that 7-year-old triplets generally exhibit normal development and fewer behavioral problems compared to singletons. However, individual triplets may show more behavioral issues than their siblings.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Multiple birth studies are crucial for understanding developmental trajectories.
- Assessing child development and behavior requires standardized tools and control groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the developmental and behavioral outcomes of triplets at age 7.
- To compare triplet development and behavior against a singleton control group.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of triplets from birth to 7 years.
- Utilized McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) for development.
- Employed Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) for behavior assessment.
Main Results:
- Triplet cognitive scores (MSCA) were within normal ranges, not significantly different from singletons.
- Mothers reported significantly fewer behavioral problems (CBCL) in triplets versus singletons.
- In 50% of triplet sets, one child displayed more behavioral issues than siblings.
Conclusions:
- Triplet development appears within normal parameters at age 7.
- Further research with larger samples and diverse informants (teachers, observers) is recommended.
- Triplet-specific developmental and behavioral monitoring may be beneficial.
Unlabelled:
The aim of this study was to assess the development and behaviour of 7-y-old triplets, who were followed from delivery to 7 y of age. The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) and Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) were used to assess and compare development and behaviour in the triplets and in a control group of singletons. The sample included 33 sets of triplets and 33 singletons, all 7-y-olds, and comparable for sex and fathers' social class. The triplets' scores on the MSCA were all within normal range. Although their mean scores for all subtests were below those of singletons, they did not differ significantly. The mean CBCL scores, based on mothers' reports, indicated that the triplets had significantly fewer behavioural problems than the controls. In half the triplet sets, one child stood out as having more behavioural problems than the others.
Conclusion:
Further assessments of the development of triplets are needed; these should be based on larger study samples and should use information from teachers and external observers as well as mothers.