Gestation and Birthweight in Dizygotic Twins: Girls Call the Tune
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Published:2007-12-01
Issue:S1
Volume:10
Page:6-7
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ISSN:1832-4274
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Container-title:Twin Research and Human Genetics
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Twin Res Hum Genet
Author:
Loos Ruth J. F.,Derom Catherine,Eeckels Roger,Derom Robert,Vlietinck Robert
Abstract
AbstractUnlike-sex twins provide a unique natural experiment to investigate the influence of sex on gestation. Our data showed that length of gestation of unlike-sex pairs is similar to that of female same-sex pairs, and significantly (0.4 wks,p= .02) longer than that of male same-sex pairs. Birthweight of female unlike-sex twins was similar to female same-sex twins, but male unlike-sex twins weighed 78 g more than male same-sex twins (p= .001). These data show that in unlikesex pairs it is the girl that prolongs gestation for her brother, resulting in a higher birthweight than that of same-sex boys.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Genetics(clinical),Obstetrics and Gynaecology,Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health