Abstract
Among, 26,138 consecutive births (1952–1965) 30 twin pairs were found which matched the criterias: (1) difference in birth weight 300 g or more, (2) identical sex, (3) gestational age 36 weeks or more, (4) no gross abnormalities. voluntary breast milk intake at day 5 was 73.5± 14.7 in the stunted twin vs 62.3 ± 14.1 in the larger one (mean ± SD, P 0.01). Twenty of them could be reexamined (9 identical, 11 dizygous) at a mean age 8 6/12 yrs (range: 4 5/12 to 17 10/12). Physical “catch up” (height and weight) had occured in 10 pairs at a mean age of 3 10/12 years. The following differences were found:
Intellectual performance at home as judged by the mother was equal in 10 but inferior in 10 stunted twins (P = 0.01). In all 7 pairs aged 11 years or more a disadvantage of the formerly smaller one was evident.
Growth retardation at birth was significantly correlated with suboptimal performances later in life. Since genetic and environmental differences between test and control subjects are practically excluded, the handicaps are asbribed to the prenatal undernutrition. The nuritional deficit is emphasized by the neonatal drinking behavior.
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Hohenaufr, I. 34. Long lasting effects of intrauterine undernutrition. A comparative study of twins of dissimilar birth weight. Pediatr Res 5, 90 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00039
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00039