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  • Title: Long term outcome of small versus appropriate size for gestational age co-twins/triplets.
    Author: Monset-Couchard M, de Bethmann O, Relier JP.
    Journal: Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed; 2004 Jul; 89(4):F310-4. PubMed ID: 15210662.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Small for gestational age (SGA) extremely low birthweight (ELBW < 1000 g) survivors often remain small and/or have subnormal school performance. Some are twins/triplets with larger appropriate size for gestational age (AGA) co-twins/triplets. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether SGA ELBW twins/triplets remain different from their AGA co-twins/triplets. DESIGN, SETTING: During 1981-1999, 353 SGA ELBW neonates were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit: 267 survived, 54/267 were twins/triplets, and 36/54 had AGA surviving co-twins/triplets. This longitudinal study describes the growth, neurodevelopmental outcome, and school performance of these 36 sets (3-17 years). The children were classified as normal, or having minor, moderate, or severe deficiencies. RESULTS: Values for birth weight (mean intrapair z score difference 2.26), length (2.74), and head circumference (2.62) were lower in SGA neonates than in AGA co-twins/triplets. SGA survivors remained smaller at 3-6 years of age: mean intrapair z score difference in weight, 1.37, height, 1.54, head circumference, 1.21. From 6 to 17 years, smaller differences persisted. Former SGA children had a tendency to have motor deficiencies (nine SGA v three AGA) and mental retardation (seven v four), same hearing loss (two v two), but significantly more visual abnormalities (15 v 11), behavioural disturbances (14 v five), and speech problems (14 v eight). Twenty four sets were in the same normal level class, often supported by familial/professional help. CONCLUSIONS: Although raised in the same environment, SGA ELBW survivors remained smaller and had more visual/behavioural/speech problems, but most maintained grade level parity with their AGA siblings, with appropriate help.
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