The childhood growth of twin children

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the childhood growth of twin children in terms of the effects of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and discordancy at birth on the incidence and severity of stunting and discordancy in current height and weight. The study was part of a cross-sectional field project conducted at the Annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, during 1990, 1991, and 1993, and including all twin children between 2 and 12 years of age. Mothers of twins were interviewed regarding their children's birthweights and gestational age; the twin children were measured for their current heights and weights. The study population included 990 twin children, including 555 boys and 435 girls, of which there were 254 boy pairs and 194 girl pairs. Birthweight for gestational age and current weight and height were each converted into Z-scores and characterized as severe (Z-score -2.0 and