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ABSTRACT Of 124 premature multiple birth infants, 21 were identified as significantly sicker than their sibling(s). This sample included 18 sets of twins and 3 sets of triplets for a total
of 45 infants. Infants were defined as the “sicker” or “healthier” based on the fact that their length of hospital stay was different by at least 7 days. The average duration of
hospitalization of the sicker sibling was 45.3 days as compared to 18.3 days for the healthier group. This difference is significant at the p < .001 level. The infants were given complete
physical and developmental examinations at 12 and 24 months of age corrected for their gestational age. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered by trained examiners
blinded to the medical history and current physical status of the siblings. Mental (MDI) and Physical (PDI) scores were compared from the infants' most recent test. It was found that
the sicker siblings, as a group, had higher MDI scores (x = 91.3) than did the healthier sibling (x = 90.2). Similarly, the PDI for the sicker infants was higher (x = 94.2) than that of the
healthier infant (x = 92.5). The differences were not statistically significant. These data suggest that compensation for various perinatal complications does occur post-natally. Whether
this improved outcome is related to their prolonged hospital stay and the intense and continuous stimulation they receive in this setting or to the special solicitude of the parent(s) for a
sicker infant, is unknown. ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * (Spon. by E.Bancalari) Univ. of Miami, Dept. of Peds., Miami, Florida Susan M Widmaver & Charles R
Bauer Authors * Susan M Widmaver View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Charles R Bauer View author publications You can also search for this
author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Widmaver, S., Bauer, C. 103 COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS OF MULTIPLE
BIRTH INFANTS WITH VARYING SEVERITY OF ILLNESS. _Pediatr Res_ 15 (Suppl 4), 457 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00112 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1981 * DOI:
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