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The influence of birth injuries in first-born and second-born twins
Insights
Second-born twins experienced more birth complications and lower birth weight than first-borns. However, these early biological handicaps did not impact later intellectual development or physical growth significantly.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Twin Studies
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Biological handicaps at birth are more prevalent in second-born twins.
- Intrapair differences in birth weight and physical measurements are common between twins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of birth complications in second-born twins.
- To determine if early biological handicaps impact later development and intellectual ability.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of first-born and second-born twins.
- Tracking physical measurements and intellectual assessments over time.
- Utilizing entrance examination and standard achievement test scores.
Main Results:
- Second-born twins exhibited more birth complications and lower birth weight.
- Intrapair physical differences decreased with age.
- No significant impact of birth handicaps on intellectual ability was observed.
Conclusions:
- Early biological handicaps in second-born twins do not significantly affect long-term development.
- Intellectual development remains largely unaffected by birth complications in twin pairs.
Abstract:
This study showed that biological handicap with many complications at birth was much more recognized in the second-born than in the first-born twins. One of the most prominent intrapair differences was, for example, the weight at birth. However, intrapair differences, which were observed also in other physical measurements, diminished gradually with age. Moreover, as for intellectual ability, which was represented by the scores of the entrance examination test or standard achievement test, no remarkable influences due to handicap of the second-born were identified. Thus, it was concluded that the biological handicap seen in the second-born twin at birth did not give any significant effect on later development.