In 40 years, the number of twin pregnancies has doubled. An increase perceived as a public health problem because these children are more at risk of prematurity.
In 40 years, the rate of twin births has almost doubled in developed countries, according to a vast Franco-Dutch study published at the end of 2015 in the journal Population and Development Review. In France, for example, twin births fell from 9.3 to 17.4 per 1,000 children. In 2013, one in 60 deliveries gave birth to 2 or more children, according to INSEE.
For researchers, this boom in multiple pregnancies has two explanations. The first is the increasing age of mothers. In fact, women are having children later and later. However, after 35 years, poly-ovulation is more frequent and increases the chances of having twins. In addition, with advancing age, couples more often resort to medically assisted procreation techniques, such as ovarian stimulation or fertilization. in vitro. Methods that more frequently induce multiple pregnancies.
But for researchers, this phenomenon is far from without consequences. To the point of being perceived as “a public health problem”. In fact, “there is 4 times more prematurity in twins than in singletons,” explains to Why actor Prof. Olivier Claris, head of the neonatology and neonatal resuscitation service at the Woman-Mother-Child Hospital of the CHU de Lyon. Sometimes it is even very prematurity ”.
Specific follow-up
These children are therefore hospitalized for several weeks in the neonatal department. When they are released, premature twins will be followed like any other child born before term. “We know that children born before 32 weeks are exposed to developmental disorders without suffering from neurological sequelae. For these very premature babies, specific consultations are planned at key ages (4, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months) to assess their development and their acquisitions, describes the specialist. Some will need physiotherapy, psychomotricity sessions, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, even school life assistants. “
These various supports must allow the child to develop and limit the appearance of cognitive disorders, such as language delay or learning difficulties. “From the age of 2, we should no longer see any differences between a child born at term and a child born prematurely”, specifies Professor Claris.
In 40 years, the number of twin pregnancies has doubled …
Posted by Why actor on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Take charge of parental fatigue
Thus, from kindergarten, premature twins will be considered as all children and will benefit from normal pediatric follow-up. However, pediatricians will not be able to conceal the specifics of twinning and the possible history of children.
In the book The twins and their pediatrician, Dr Inés de Montgolgier-Aubron, pediatrician in neonatology at the Armand Trousseau Hospital (Paris), explains that “particular attention should be paid to behavioral disorders and more particularly to language disorders, which are more frequent in these children” .
She also mentions the fragility of parents, which can have negative consequences on the well-being of children. “Everything is multiplied by 2. The number of bottles, diapers to change, chickenpox and so on and the best… This phase is therefore very heavy for parents. And who says fatigue, says lack of patience, lack of responsiveness of parents to the needs of children, ”notes the pediatrician.
Parents therefore also need support. For this, they can turn to their pediatrician but also associations that offer practical and even material advice.
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