Birth weight and adult lung function: a within-pair analysis of twins followed up from birth

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether there is any association between intrauterine growth and later lung function or bronchial reactivity in early adulthood in line with Barker's hypothesis.

Nineteen twin pairs with disproportionate intrauterine growth pattern were followed up from birth: either one of the pairs had intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight <2 SD) or the within-pair birth weight difference was >1.3 SD. Flow-volume spirometry, followed by isocapnic hyperventilation of cold air, was performed at the ages of 8-16 and 14-22 years in 1993 and 1999. Wilcoxon's matched-pairs analysis was used to compare smaller and larger twin pairs.

In 1993, there were no significant differences between the groups in either spirometry or cold air challenge. In 1999, such a difference was found in forced expiratory volume % (FEV%) and forced expiratory flow (FEF) at 25%-75%, the smaller twin pairs having lower values. In 1993, nine subjects reacted to cold air (>9% decrease in FEV in 1 second). In 1999, only four subjects reacted to cold air, and they all belonged to the group of smaller twins (P=0.04).

Lung function evaluated by FEV% and FEF25-75 was lower and responses to cold air were more common at the median age of 16 years in twins with impaired intrauterine growth.