Discordancia de peso al nacer en gemelos: consecuencias y su perdurabilidad en el desarrollo psicológico

Abstract

Cada vez nacen más gemelos con discordancia de peso intrapar, factor de riesgo que puede afectar su desarrollo, especialmente el del hermano de menor peso intrapar. Sin embargo, pocos estudios abordan sus posibles disfunciones más allá de las obstétricas; de modo que el conocimiento acerca de las consecuencias de la discordancia de peso intrapar en su desarrollo psicológico es escaso. Este trabajo revisa la literatura y recapitula las consecuencias de la discordancia de peso intrapar en el desarrollo psicológico de los gemelos de menor peso intrapar, comparativamente a sus hermanos de más peso, así como la perdurabilidad de dichas consecuencias durante su ciclo vital. La literatura revisada muestra que los gemelos de menor peso intrapar obtienen puntuaciones inferiores a sus hermanos en habilidades cognitivas, verbales y psicomotoras; y mayor probabilidad de presentar rasgos asociados al desarrollo de hiperactividad. Estas diferencias persisten desde la infancia hasta la juventud, no existiendo datos referidos a la edad adulta. En conclusión, las consecuencias de la discordancia de peso intrapar sobre el desarrollo psicológico de los gemelos de menor peso intrapar son extensas tanto en las dimensiones afectadas como en su perdurabilidad. Es necesaria una mayor investigación que permita diseñar intervenciones tempranas preventivas y optimizadoras del desarrollo de estos niños; pues el óptimo desarrollo de todos los niños es la base de una sociedad en continuo progreso.Palabras Clave: Gemelaridad; Discordancia de Peso al Nacer; Desarrollo Atípico; Desarrollo Psicológico; Atención Temprana.More twins are being born with intrapair birth weight discordances. Discordance in birth weight is a risk factor that can affect the development of twins, especially that of the lightest twin. However, few studies have analysed the possible consequences of birth weight discordance on the lightest twin beyond possible neonatal obstetric problems. Thus, little is known about the consequences of birth weight discordance on the psychological development of such babies.This article reviews the literature and summarizes the effects of birth weight discordance on the psychological development of the lightest intrapair twins compared with their heavier twin siblings and the persistence of these effects during their lifetime. The literature shows that the lightest intrapair twins obtain lower scores than their siblings in cognitive, verbal, and psychomotor skills. They are also more likely to have traits associated with the development of hyperactivity. These differences persist from childhood to youth. There is no information about adulthood. In conclusion, birth weight discordance has marked effects on the psychological development of intrapair lower weight twins, both in relation to the affected dimensions and the persistence of these effects over time. Further research is needed on designing early preventative interventions that would optimize the development of these children. This proposal is of relevance, given that the optimal dev...

Intra- and Inter-Group Differences in the Cognitive Skills of Toddler Twins with Birth Weight Discordance: The Need to Enhance Their Future from Early Education

“…This twin is usually the most affected since they have a less optimal intra-uterine environment than their heavier birth weight twin, which ultimately affects both their birth weight and brain development [36][37][38][39]. Among other disadvantages the lighter twins face, the literature on the subject has shown that they have lower IQ; perform significantly worse in cognition, language, and motor skills compared to the heavier twins; and are usually at major risk for later behavior problems [37][38][39][40]. However, many aspects of these children's development are still unknown because, if we consider that the research on psychoeducational issues in twin children is scarce, even scarcer is the research focused on twin children with BWD.…”