Size and morbidity in Malawian twins

Kalanda, Boniface F., Verhoeff, Francine H. and Brabin, Bernard (2006) 'Size and morbidity in Malawian twins'. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 60, Issue 5, pp. 598-604.

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Abstract

Objective: Twins in developing countries may be disadvantaged due to their small size at birth, compromised nutrition and high infection risk. Although twinning is common in Africa, there are few longitudinal studies of growth and morbidity in this high-risk group. The aim of the present paper was to describe growth and morbidity of Malawian twins compared to singletons.
Methods: Morbidity episodes were recorded at 4 weekly intervals and at extra visits made to health centres for illness. Weight, length, head and arm circumference were recorded at birth and weight, length and MUAC at 4 weekly intervals to 52 weeks of age.
Results: Twins showed reduced fetal growth compared to singletons, with increasing fall-off in percentiles from 33 weeks gestation. Infant growth percentiles for twins were below those for singletons at all ages, but showed no fall-off from singleton percentile values. There were no differences in morbidity incidence during infancy between twins and singletons.
Conclusion: Malawian twins showed no catch-up growth during infancy, their smaller size was not associated with higher morbidity incidence compared to singletons.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	morbidity incidence growth percentiles twins malawi birth-weight gestational-age intrauterine growth rural malawi fetal-death lms method mortality pregnancies standards gain
Subjects:	WS Pediatrics > WS 100 General works WS Pediatrics > Child Care. Nutrition. Physical Examination > WS 115 Nutritional requirements. Nutrition disorders WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 410 Premature infants. Diseases of premature infants WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 420 Newborn infants. Neonatology WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 421 Diseases of newborn infants
Faculty: Department:	Groups (2002 - 2012) > Child & Reproductive Health Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602356
Depositing User:	Sarah Lewis-Newton
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2011 15:54
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2018 13:02
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/1523

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