Twins in a child psychiatry clinic

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Twin studies are crucial for understanding genetic and environmental influences on development.
• Children's psychiatric clinics receive referrals for a range of behavioral and emotional disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of twins referred to a child psychiatric clinic.
• To compare the prevalence of minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) in referred twins versus non-twins.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinic referral data over a six-year period.
• Matching referred twins with non-referred children based on relevant demographic factors.
• Assessment for evidence of minimal brain dysfunction in both groups.

Main Results:

• Identified 22 twin referrals out of 2,015 total referrals, representing approximately half the expected incidence.
• A significantly higher percentage of twins exhibited evidence of minimal brain dysfunction compared to the matched non-twin group.

Conclusions:

• The lower-than-expected referral rate of twins suggests unique referral patterns or protective factors.
• Increased MBD in referred twins may be associated with perinatal factors common in twin gestations, such as prematurity and birth complications.