Delayed growth and reduced intelligence in 9-17 year old intrauterine growth retarded children compared with their monozygous co-twins
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Intrauterine growth retardation impacts long-term development. Even with similar environments, lighter twins showed reduced height, head circumference, and cognitive abilities at age 13.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Monozygous twins provide a unique model to study environmental and genetic influences.
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a significant concern in perinatal medicine.
- The long-term effects of significant birth weight discordance in twins are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of intrauterine growth differences on physical growth and cognitive development in monozygous twins.
- To assess if a substantial birth weight discrepancy (≥25%) impacts development up to adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Study included 14 pairs of monozygous twins with significant birth weight discordance (≥25%).
- Participants were assessed at a mean age of 13 years.
- Evaluated parameters included height, head circumference, global IQ, and performance IQ.
Main Results:
- The lighter twins, despite sharing the same environment, exhibited significantly reduced height and head circumference compared to their heavier co-twins.
- Global IQ and performance IQ scores were also lower in the originally lighter twins.
- No major pregnancy, neonatal, or childhood health issues were reported for any participants.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth retardation, even without other complications, has lasting negative effects on physical growth and neurodevelopment.
- Birth weight discordance in monozygous twins serves as a sensitive indicator of potential long-term developmental deficits.
Abstract:
Fourteen pairs of monozygous twins who differed from one another mainly in terms of intrauterine growth the one being greater than or equal to 25% lighter at birth than the other were studied at a mean age of 13 years. There had been no major problems during pregnancy or the neonatal period and no serious diseases during childhood. The twins grew up in the same environment. At follow-up height, head circumference, global IQ and performance IQ were reduced in the originally light twins. Intrauterine growth retardation of a certain magnitude thus has a long-term deleterious effect upon growth and development.