Children born as twins have a greater likelihood of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to singletons when birth weight and gestational age are not controlled for (Lorenz, 2012).
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What are the disadvantages of being twins?
With twins, you’re at greater risk for:
- Premature birth. Twins are born prematurely more than half the time.
- Low birth weight (LBW). More than half of twins are born with LBW, weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds.
- Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
Are twins more likely to have problems?
Multiples are about twice as likely as singleton babies to have birth defects, including neural tube defects (such as spina bifida), cerebral palsy, congenital heart defects and birth defects that affect the digestive system.
Are twins more successful than singletons?
Conclusions These data support the proposition that twins perform less well academically than singletons. Low birth weight has a negative association with subsequent academic achievement in early adulthood, with the effect being stronger for twins than for singletons.
How much riskier is having twins?
Babies who are multiples have about twice the risk of birth defects than singleton babies, including neural tube defects such as spina bifida and heart and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Cerebral palsy. Twin babies are more than four times as likely than single babies to have cerebral palsy.
What is the advantage of being a twin?
The findings suggest that being a twin offers social, psychological and physiological benefits that could improve health and extend longevity, Sharrow said. The researchers called this concept a “twin protection effect,” he added.
What are the positives of having twins?
11 positives to having twins, triplets or more
- The extra help. When friends and family find out it’s twins, they’re so excited to help – offers to sit down, snacks, little errands.
- Holding them.
- Feeling special.
- Watching them grow.
- The backup.
- Being stronger.
- Being the same age.
- Birthdays.
Are twins more likely to have autism?
Using a mathematical analysis of data, his team found that identical twins were much more likely to have similar levels of autistic symptoms than fraternal twins. Those researchers also concluded that: High levels of autism symptoms are genetic in origin. Less severe symptoms are not as likely to be inherited.
What is twin escalation syndrome?
Known as twin escalation syndrome (TES), the condition is defined by the tendency of multiples to copy and intensify the behavior of the other, cycling back and forth until the behavior becomes near-unbearable.
Is bed rest common with twins?
Bed rest during a multiple pregnancy is sometimes used as a way to prevent complications,1 but it is not a requirement for all twin pregnancies. If everything progresses normally during your twin pregnancy, you may not require bed rest.
Why do twins have lower IQ?
At age 7, the mean IQ score of twins was 5.3 points lower than that of singletons in the same family, and at age 9, the score was 6.0 points lower. The lower intelligence of twins in childhood may partly be a consequence of the reduced fetal growth and shorter gestations of twins, say the authors.
Do twins tend to be less intelligent?
Twins on the average seem to have lower IQs than singletons. The best estimate for this group difference is 4.2 IQ points (less than one-third of a standard deviation), with a great divide between study outcomes of less vs more recent birth cohorts (5.1 vs 0.5 IQ points, respectively).
Do twins have the same IQ?
Researchers found that the twins had “substantial differences” in their IQ. Tests revealed that the adopted twin had an IQ 16 points lower than her long-lost sister. This contradicts existing research that says identical twins usually have no more than 7 points difference in their IQ.
How often do both twins survive?
Just 40% of twin pregnancies go full term. The average twin pregnancy is 35 weeks, compared to the average singleton pregnancy, which is 39 weeks. Prematurity may lead to a number of problems, including: Immature lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing.
Is carrying twins harder than one?
7: If you’re pregnant with twins, you may gain more weight than if you’re carrying one child. “With twins, mothers gain more weight as there are two babies, two placentas, and more amniotic fluid,” says Al-Khan. “You also need more calories for twin pregnancies.”
What week is full term for twins?
A little more than half of twin pregnancies end in preterm delivery (before 37 weeks). While 40 weeks is the full gestation period of the average pregnancy, most twin pregnancies are delivered at approximately 36 weeks (range 32-38 weeks depending on the type of twin pregnancy).
Why is raising twins so hard?
The hardest thing about having twins is…
“Managing the movement of two babies. Carrying them both up and down the stairs, getting them into the car, etc.” —Simeon R. “Often having to make one baby wait!” —Catharine D. “Being outnumbered—the logistics of two on one is definitely the hardest.
What are the pros and cons of having a twin?
- PRO: Twice as many gifts. Parents with multiple children know just how expensive each additional child can be.
- CON: Alone time. When you have just one child, it’s easier to hand them off to your (equally sleep-deprived) partner and dash out for some solo time.
- PRO: Getting over perfection.
- CON: Mess.
Are people with twins happier?
They examined reported levels of happiness in 1,300 sets of identical and fraternal twins. Identical twins reported similar levels of happiness, while fraternal twins exhibited greater variation in their reported sense of well-being.
Are twins a blessing or curse?
Most strikingly, the pre-1870 group of mothers of twins actually lived longer than those who were not thus blessed. They were, in other words, simply healthier. This suggests that, in evolutionary terms at least, twins are far from a curse. On the contrary, they are indeed the mark of a supermum.
Is it cheaper to have twins?
Twins’ First Year: $25,880
First-year costs more than double when you have twins. Look for ways to divide expenses. Twins can share a room, toys, and clothing. You also may be able to find other twin discounts.