Related Experiment Videos
[Two-year follow-up cohort studies on triplets: development of children and mother-child relationship]
M Garel1, E Chavanne, B Blondel
1Unité de recherches épidémiologiques sur la santé des femmes et des enfants, Inserm U 149, Villejuif, France.
Insights
Triplet births are rising, yet their psychomotor development and family dynamics require further study. This research highlights the need for enhanced support systems for families with triplets.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Context:
- Increasing incidence of triplet births necessitates a deeper understanding of associated developmental and familial challenges.
- Long-term psychomotor development and interpersonal dynamics within triplet families remain under-researched areas.
Purpose:
- To assess the psychomotor development of children born as triplets.
- To investigate maternal well-being and relationship dynamics within families raising triplets.
- To identify potential psychological risks and the need for interventions in triplet families.
Summary:
- Psychomotor development in triplets (IQ=100) was comparable to the general population.
- Mothers reported significant physical fatigue in the first year and psychological difficulties in the second year.
- Behavioral issues and strained relationships among triplets were noted, with four families requiring intervention due to severe challenges.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive, long-term support for families with triplets.
- Multidisciplinary professional involvement (pediatricians, psychologists, social workers) is essential for addressing the complex needs of these families.
Background:
The number of triplets births has increased during the last 15 years. The psychomotor development of triplets, problems concerning long-term relationships between the mother and her children and between the children themselves are still incompletely studied.
Patients And Methods:
Eleven families with triplets, consecutively born at the Clinique Baudelocque, were assessed at home for 2 years by the same psychologist. IQ was measured in each child at the age of 2 years using the Brunet-Lezine test. At this age, all mothers completed the Symptom-Check List allowing to assess eventual relationship difficulties between the mother and their children.
Results:
The psychomotor development of the children (IQ = 100) was similar to the mean score in the general population. The mother reported great physical fatigue during the first year after birth and psychological difficulties during the second year. They mentioned behavioral problems and difficult relationships among the triplets. They complained of not being able to fulfill the children's demands. In four families, more severe difficulties, potentially damaging the psychological well-being of the children, required an intervention during the survey.
Conclusions:
Improved and prolonged help to families with triplets is necessary, requiring the participation of pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and specialized people.