Twin Research and Human Genetics最新文献

Despite the decline in mortality rates among children in developing countries, disparities persist between countries, particularly between twins and singletons. This study employed data from nine Demographic and Health Surveys in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to estimate and compare mortality rates for twins and singletons in categories of the under-5 age group (neonatal, postneonatal, and child mortality) and examine the factors associated with excess mortality among twins. From 1996 to 2013, the under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) for singletons in the Dominican Republic declined from 56‰ (95% CI [47, 64) to 30‰ (22-39) and from 108‰ (53-164) to 53‰ (16-89) among twins. In Haiti, between 1994 and 2016, the U5MR declined from 121‰ (109-133) to 77‰ (68-80) for singletons and from 432‰ (327-538) to 204‰ (149-260) among twins. The adjusted risk of neonatal death for twins is 1.4 (1.0-1.9) times higher than for singletons in the Dominican Republic, compared to a risk of 4.3 (3.5-5.3) times higher in Haiti. In the post-neonatal period, the mortality risk for twins in the Dominican Republic was 1.8 (1.0-3.1) times higher than that for singletons, 2.9 (2.3-3.8) in Haiti. The risk of death for twins was not significantly different from that for singletons in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti at ages 1-4 years. Low birth weight, lack of breastfeeding, absence of, or inadequate, antenatal care, noncesarean section birth, and high birth order were associated with excess mortality among twins in both countries.

Vanishing twin syndrome is a miscarriage of multiples where one or more fetuses 'vanishes' (i.e., partial or full resorption or via calcification) during pregnancy, often before detection via ultrasound. It affects 30-50% of multifetal pregnancies, with most cases resulting in full resorption within the first trimester. Despite its recognition since 1945 and rising occurrence in both natural and assisted pregnancies, standardized clinical guidelines remain inadequate, leading to inconsistent diagnosis, counseling, and communication from healthcare providers. This study examines the experiences of mothers and gestational carriers diagnosed with VTS, focusing on patient-provider communication, risks, and symptom disclosure. A global online survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 153 participants across 17 countries. Results show that most patients with formal diagnoses experienced negative interactions with healthcare providers, with an average sentiment score of -0.7 (on a scale from -2 to 2). Over 53.4% rated their communication experience as -1, and the average satisfaction score for the amount of information received was 3.5/10. Additionally, 43% of respondents were not informed about chorionicity, a key factor affecting fetal outcomes. Significant discrepancies in care were observed across different countries. The findings highlight major gaps in patient-provider communication and inconsistent clinical practices regarding VTS. Addressing these issues through improved education, clearer protocols, and standardized guidelines could enhance patient experiences and decision-making. Future research should focus on provider training and evidence-based strategies to improve the management of VTS and other types of miscarriage and death of multiples during pregnancy and postpartum.

Research is only beginning to shape our understanding of eating disorders as metabolic-psychiatric illnesses. How eating disorders (EDs) are classified is essential to future research for understanding the etiology of these severe illnesses and both developing and tailoring effective treatments. The gold standard for classification for research and diagnostic purposes has primarily been and continues to be the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). With the reconceptualization of EDs comes new challenges of considering how EDs are classified to reflect clinical reality, prognosis and lived experience. In this article, we explore the DSM-5 method of categorical classification and how it may not accurately represent the fluidity in which EDs present themselves. We discuss alternative methods of conceptualizing EDs, and their relevance and implications for genetic research.

Previous observational studies have suggested an association between natural hair color and the risk of endometriosis; however, the causal relationship remains unclear. Here, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to evaluate the potential causal link between natural hair color and endometriosis using 428 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic instruments derived from a genomewide meta-analysis comprising over 4511 cases and 227,260 controls of European ancestry. Our findings indicate that dark brown hair is associated with a decreased risk of developing endometriosis (dark brown IVW OR: 0.844, 95% CI [0.725, 0.984], p < .05). Conversely, dark hair color and lighter hair colors (red, blonde, and light brown) did not demonstrate a significant association with endometriosis risk (dark IVW OR: 0.568, 95% CI [0.280, 1.15], p = .117; red IVW OR: 1.058, 95% CI [0.719, 1.558], p = .77; blonde IVW OR: 1.158, 95% CI [0.886, 1.514], p = .28; light brown IVW OR: 1.306, 95% CI [0.978, 1.743], p = .07). These results provide compelling MR evidence supporting a causal association between natural hair color and endometriosis risk. Our findings underscore the need for larger scale studies and randomized controlled trials to delineate the biological mechanisms driving the association between hair color and endometriosis.

Both peer influences and genetics have been linked to gaming addiction (GA) in adolescents and young adults. This study examined the gene-environment interplay (gene-environment correlation [rGE] and gene-environment interaction [G x E]) between close friends' gaming (CFG) and GA among South Korean twins. A total of 1462 twins aged 15-29 years (mean = 22.63 ± 2.8 years) completed an online survey that included a 20-item GA measure and a single item assessing CFG. Bivariate Cholesky model-fitting analysis was conducted to examine evidence for rGE in the relationship between GA and CFG. Bivariate G x E model-fitting analysis was performed to determine evidence for G x E effects. A significant genetic correlation (r_g = .37; 95% CI [0.24, 0.49]) between GA and CFG supported the role of gene-environment correlation, suggesting that individuals with a genetic predisposition for GA may selectively associate with peers who frequently engage in gaming. The model testing G x E effects indicated that environment-environment interaction was present in the relationship between CFG and GA, such that CFG increased nonshared environmental effects on GA. This pattern provided evidence for peer socialization effects, wherein peers influence the development of GA independently of genetic risk.

Giving twins similar names places them at increased risk for mixed credit reports as they enter young adulthood and beyond. Attorneys specializing in this area of the law are often required to manage lawsuits againt the agencies responsible for such errors. This overview is followed by summaries of twin research and reports of treating twins with central nervous system infection, twins with COVID-19, and twins with septal aneurism, as well as a review of the comparative outcomes of twins born via assisted reproduction versus natural conception and a tribute to the late Dr Helen E. Fisher. Human interest items include a twins' rally for Israeli twins held hostage in Gaza, a tribute to the founding member of the National Mothers of Twins Clubs (now Multiples of America), a quadruplet birth, an identical twin politician, and identical twin actresses.

Although it is well established that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with fetal overgrowth in singleton pregnancies, little is known about its role in twins. We aimed to explore the relationship between GDM and the longitudinal fetal growth in twin pregnancies. This was a retrospective matched cohort study of GDM and non-GDM twin pregnancies delivered ≥36 weeks without other complications. All the women performed ≥3 ultrasounds after 22 weeks. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to explore the relationships between longitudinal fetal growth trajectories and GDM. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were applied to identify the latent growth patterns and investigate their relationships with GDM. In total, 215 GDM and 645 non-GDM twins were included, the majority of the patients did not require medication therapy (n = 202, GDMA1). LMM revealed that, compared with non-GDM, GDM was associated with an average increase in fetal weight of 4.36 g (95% CI [1.25, 7.48]) per week. GBTM and GEE further revealed that GDM increased the odds of fetal weight trajectory to nearly 40% of the total fetal weight trajectory, classified into the high-speed group (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.03, 1.88]), associating with a 49.44 g (95% CI [11.41, 87.48]) increase in birth weight. Subgroup analysis revealed that all these differences were only significant among the GDMA1 pregnancies (p < .05). GDM (GDMA1) is significantly associated with an increase in fetal weight during gestation in twin pregnancies. However, this acceleration is mild, and its significance requires further exploration.