Emotional development of twin children based on neonatal parametersand and validation of the child zygosity assessment questionnaire

• Grant number: 24/20769-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Emma Otta
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Dônola de Melo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02107-6 - The University of São Paulo twin panel: research on twins' behavior, health, and well-being, AP.TEM

Abstract

Studies in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and fetal well-being assessment emphasize the importance of evaluating chorionicity and zygosity in twin pregnancies as early as the first weeks of gestation. Monochorionic pregnancies carry a higher risk of complications and require closer prenatal monitoring. Monochorionic monozygotic twins (MCMZ) more frequently share blood circulation than dichorionic monozygotic twins (DCMZ), which can lead to an unequal supply of blood and nutrients between the pair, potentially resulting in a greater difference in birth weight. Around 25% of preterm infants exhibit behavioral problems that can be characterized by a phenotype of inattention, anxiety, socio-emotional, and internalizing issues. Among children born with extremely low birth weight, 46.8% exhibit behavioral problems, and 20.4% show impairments in socio-emotional development. Prospective studies on child development concerning fetal development in twins are a relevant topic for empirical research; however, we observe a lack of Brazilian studies in this area. In the present study, we will compare indicators of emotional development-assessed by the Emotion Regulation Checklist-completed by parents of MZ and DZ twins aged 7-16 years, born at HCFMUSP, in relation to gestational and neonatal indicators such as fetal vitality parameters, fetal growth restriction, and birth weight discordance. Additionally, we are also proposing the validation of an illustrated child questionnaire for zygosity assessment.We intend to collect data from approximately 80 pairs of twins.