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Schulte S, Eberhardt N, Roedig T, Schreiner F, Plamper M, Bartmann P, Holterhus PM, Kulle AE, Gohlke B. Salivary Diurnal Glucocorticoid Profiles in Monozygotic Twins With Intratwin Birthweight Differences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 109:e40-e50. [PMID: 37610251 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Low birthweight (bw) and unfavorable intrauterine conditions have been associated with metabolic sequelae in later life, but little is known about their impact on glucocorticoid metabolism. OBJECTIVE We studied monozygotic twins with intratwin bw differences to analyze the long-term impact of bw on glucocorticoid metabolism. METHODS 46 monozygotic twin pairs with bw differences of <1 SDS (concordant; n = 29) and ≥1 SDS (discordant; n = 17) were recruited. At 6.9 years (mean age), saliva samples were collected (at 7 hours, 13 hours, 18 hours and 21 hour) and analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS We found significant or highly significant intratwin correlations in all twin pairs at 3 of 4 (cortisol), and 4 of 4 (cortisone) time points. Graphic evaluation of the diurnal cortisol patterns for each twin pair showed a distinct alignment in all groups. Analyses of the change of intratwin differences over the day by mixed linear modeling showed no intratwin differences in diurnal patterns. Regression analyses of intratwin differences at 7:00 hours showed a significant influence of catch-up growth, indicating lower cortisol concentrations in smaller twins with more catch-up growth (adj. R2 = 0.159, P = .014, ß = -3.71, F(1,42) = 9.15, f2 = 0.19). CONCLUSION In monozygotic twins with intratwin bw differences, intratwin catch-up growth showed a moderate influence on intratwin differences in morning cortisol concentrations. We observed no differences regarding diurnal patterns. In contrast, in all groups, we found significant intratwin correlations for cortisol and cortisone over the day and a pronounced graphic alignment of cortisol diurnal patterns. We therefore suggest a predominant significance of the genetic background compared with bw differences on cortisol metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schulte
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Nora Eberhardt
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thea Roedig
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Plamper
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department of Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Paul-Martin Holterhus
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine I, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Schleswig - Holstein, Campus Kiel/Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexandra E Kulle
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine I, Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Schleswig - Holstein, Campus Kiel/Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Bettina Gohlke
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Pan T, Huang Y, Cheng Q, Chen L, Hu Y, Dai Y, Liu X, Jiang Z, Zhong Y, Zhang Z, Chen Q, Zhang Q, Zhang X. A retrospective study on the physical growth of twins in the first year after birth. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1168849. [PMID: 37810921 PMCID: PMC10557485 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1168849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study analyzed the physical growth of small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) twins up to one year after birth. Methods Weight, length, and head circumference data of 0-1 year-old twins were collected from the Child Health Care System from 2010 to 2019. Physical data were presented as Z-scores. Five parameters - growth level of weight, body length, head circumference, growth velocity, and body proportion (weight for length) were compared in twins. Results A total of 3,909 cases were collected (22.61% SGA, 77.39% AGA). 1. In both groups, WAZ (Weight for age z-score), HCZ (Head circumference for age z-score), and LAZ (Length for age z-score) increased more rapidly in the first 6 months. By one year of age, WAZ, HCZ, and LAZ had reached the normal range, but none had reached the average level of normal singleton children. 2. The mean values of WAZ, HCZ, and LAZ in the AGA group were between -1 and 0, and between -2 and - 1 in the SGA group, in the first year after birth. The SGA group lagged significantly behind the AGA group. The LAZ score of SGA and AGA was lower than the WAZ and HCZ scores. 3. The proportion of preterm AGA was the largest in twins, and the growth rate of preterm AGA was the fastest. Preterm twins had greater growth potential than term twins. However, the growth level of preterm SGA was always low. 4. The WFLZ (Weight for length z-score) in each group was approximately close to 0. The WFLZ of SGA was smaller than that of AGA twins at most time points. After 4 months of age, the WFLZ of twins had a downward trend. The WFLZ of preterm SGA approached -1 at approximately 1 year old. Conclusion The physical growth of SGA and AGA in twins in the first year can reach the normal range but cannot reach the average level of normal singleton children. More attention should be paid to SGA in twins, especially preterm SGA. We should give proper nutritional guidance after 4 months of age to ensure the appropriate body proportion (weight for length) of SGA in twins. Clinical trial registration www.chictr.org.cn, CTR2000034761.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Pan
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanru Huang
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Child Health Care, Luzhou People’s Hospital, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiyang Jiang
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanfeng Zhong
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhanzhan Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Chongqing Growth, Development and Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Health and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Groene SG, Gremmen IJ, van Zwet EW, Roest AAW, Haak MC, van Klink JMM, Lopriore E, Heijmans BT, de Bruin C. Fetal growth restriction inhibits childhood growth despite catch-up in discordant identical twins: an observational cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 189:183-189. [PMID: 37548178 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research suggests that postnatal catch-up growth after fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs frequently. Yet, postnatal growth in singletons may be influenced by multiple factors. Identical twins with discordant prenatal growth, termed selective FGR (sFGR), can be regarded as a natural experiment eliminating these sources of bias. DESIGN Observational cohort study. METHODS Monochorionic twins with sFGR born between 2002 and 2017 (aged 3-17 years) were eligible. Growth measurements (height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index) were performed at follow-up. Detailed growth curves documented by a systematic primary care system in the Netherlands were collected. Measurements were converted to standard deviation scores (SDSs). A mixed-effects model was used to assess within-pair SDS difference and individual height SDS relative to target height SDS. RESULTS Forty-seven twin pairs (94 children) were included at a median age of 11 (interquartile range 8-13) years. At the last measurement, smaller twins at birth had a lower height SDS [-0.6 vs -0.3, P < .001, median difference 0.5 (95%CI 0.4-0.7)], lower weight SDS [-0.5 vs -0.1, P < .001, median difference 0.8 (95%CI 0.5-1.0)], and lower head circumference SDS [-0.5 vs 0.2, P < .001, median difference 0.8 (95%CI 0.6-0.9)] compared to larger twins. These differences persisted until the age of 17. Smaller twins showed rapid catch-up growth in the first 2 years and reached their target height range between 8 and 11 years. CONCLUSIONS Identical twins with discordant prenatal growth maintain a modest but significant difference in height, weight, and head circumference, indicating a persistent, inhibitory effect of an adverse intrauterine environment on childhood growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie G Groene
- Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Irma J Gremmen
- Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik W van Zwet
- Medical Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arno A W Roest
- Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique C Haak
- Fetal Therapy, Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanine M M van Klink
- Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Enrico Lopriore
- Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan T Heijmans
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan de Bruin
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Mei H, Deng L, Xie J, Li X, Wu N, Hu L, Huang G, Mo F, Chen D, Xiao H, Yang P. Co-exposure to phenols and phthalates during pregnancy with the difference of body size in twins at one month old. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 311:136991. [PMID: 36306967 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Humans are simultaneously exposed to phenols and phthalates (PAEs). However, the mixture effect of phenols and PAEs on the body size of twins is lacking. From 2016 to 2018, we recruited 228 pregnant twins and collected up to three urine samples. A total of 8 PAE metabolites and 7 phenols were detected in urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chemical individual and mixture effects were estimated. Multivariable linear regression results presented the percentage change in twins' growth differences at one month old with maternal PAE and phenol exposure. These chemicals were positively associated with weight differences during the entire trimester. Moreover, the quantile g-computed model showed that increased urinary concentrations of all chemicals by one quartile were associated with a 22.85% (95%CI: 11.21-35.72%), 22.60% (95%CI: 12.31-33.83%), and 24.05% (95%CI: 13.11-36.05%) larger weight difference within twins in each trimester, respectively. Increasing all PAE metabolites and phenols by one quantile across the entire trimester, weight differences increased by 26.61% (95% CI: 15.79%, 38.44%), and height differences increased by 15.84% (95%CI: 3.92%, 29.13%). Co-exposure to PAEs and phenols may primarily play a role in twins' growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Mei
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Langjing Deng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jinying Xie
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Nanxin Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Liqin Hu
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Guangtong Huang
- School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Fanyu Mo
- School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Da Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Pan Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, PR China.
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He R, Liu R, Wu H, Yu J, Jiang Z, Huang H. The Causal Evidence of Birth Weight and Female-Related Traits and Diseases: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis. Front Genet 2022; 13:850892. [PMID: 36035116 PMCID: PMC9412024 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.850892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: A large meta-analysis indicated a more pronounced association between lower birth weight (BW) and diseases in women but less concern about the causality between BW and female-related phenotypes and diseases. Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to estimate the causal relationship between two traits or diseases using summary datasets from genome-wide association studies. Exposure instrumental variables are variants that are strongly associated with traits and are tested using four different statistical methods, including the inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode in MR analysis. Next, sensitivity analysis and horizontal pleiotropy were assessed using leave-one-out and MR-PRESSO packages. Results: The body mass index (BMI) in adulthood was determined by BW (corrected β = 0.071, p = 3.19E-03). Lower BW could decrease the adult sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) level (β = −0.081, p = 2.08E-06), but it resulted in increased levels of bioavailable testosterone (bio-T) (β = 0.105, p = 1.25E-05). A potential inverse effect was observed between BW and menarche (corrected β = −0.048, p = 4.75E-03), and no causal association was confirmed between BW and the risk of endometriosis, leiomyoma, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Conclusion: Our results suggest that BW may play an important role and demonstrates a significant direct influence on female BMI, SHBG and bio-T levels, and menarche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renke He
- International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaen Yu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoying Jiang
- International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Hefeng Huang,
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Schmitz L, Schulte S, Stoffel-Wagner B, Bartmann P, Plamper M, Schreiner F, Woelfle J, Gohlke B. Birthweight Differences in Adolescent Monozygotic Twins Influence Androgens, Psychological Morbidity, and Health-Related Quality of Life. Horm Res Paediatr 2021; 93:433-441. [PMID: 33567430 DOI: 10.1159/000512653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse prenatal conditions can exert a long-lasting impact in later life. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-eight post-pubertal monozygotic twin pairs (16 female pairs) with divergent birthweight (bw) due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome were examined at a median of 15.1 years. Auxological and endocrine parameters were measured. To evaluate effects of intra-twin bw and hormone differences on mental health, adolescents and their parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), identifying psychological problems. Twins answered the questionnaire on health-related quality of life (HrQoL, KIDSCREEN-52). RESULTS Parents attributed a higher number of psychological challenges to the formerly smaller twins, for example, total difficulties (8.8 vs. 6.5, p = 0.009). Differences in bw were associated with differences in parental evaluation of problems, for example, peer relationship problems (r = -0.57 and p = 0.0001). In contrast, bw differences did not affect subjects' self-assessment of psychological factors but on physical well-being (r = 0.42, p = 0.017). The formerly smaller discordant twins showed significantly lower HrQoL regarding psychological well-being (24.9 vs. 26.6, T1,15 = -2.2, and p = 0.043) and moods and emotions (29.8 vs. 32.0, T1,15 = -2.3, p = 0.039). Higher concentrations of androstenedione were linked to greater psychological well-being (r = 0.39 and p = 0.036) in all twin pairs. CONCLUSION Our results show that the prenatal environment leading to bw differences exerts a long-lasting impact on diverging parental evaluation of mental health. Formerly smaller discordant twins showed significantly lower HrQoL regarding psychological well-being and moods and emotions. Higher androstenedione concentrations were linked to greater psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lioba Schmitz
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Schulte
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany,
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department of Neonatology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Plamper
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Children's University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bettina Gohlke
- Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Children's University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Schulte S, Schreiner F, Plamper M, Kasner C, Gruenewald M, Bartmann P, Fimmers R, Hartmann MF, Wudy SA, Stoffel-Wagner B, Woelfle J, Gohlke B. Influence of Prenatal Environment on Androgen Steroid Metabolism In Monozygotic Twins With Birthweight Differences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5876852. [PMID: 32717093 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although low birthweight (bw) and unfavorable intrauterine conditions have been associated with metabolic sequelae in later life, little is known about their impact on steroid metabolism. We studied genetically identical twins with intra-twin bw-differences from birth to adolescence to analyze the long-term impact of bw on steroid metabolism. METHODS 68 monozygotic twin pairs with a bw-difference of <1 standard deviation score (SDS; concordant; n = 41) and ≥1 SDS (discordant; n = 27) were recruited. At 14.9 years (mean age), morning urine samples were collected and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry. RESULTS No significant differences were detected in the concordant group. In contrast, in the smaller twins of the discordant group, we found significantly higher concentrations not only of the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) metabolite 16α-OH-DHEA (P = 0.001, 656.11 vs 465.82 µg/g creatinine) but also of cumulative dehydroepiandrosterone and downstream metabolites (P = 0.001, 1650.22 vs 1131.92 µg/g creatinine). Relative adrenal (P = 0.002, 0.25 vs 0.18) and overall androgen production (P = 0.001, 0.79 vs 0.65) were significantly higher in the formerly smaller discordant twins. All twin pairs exhibited significant intra-twin correlations for all individual steroid metabolites, sums of metabolites, indicators of androgen production, and enzyme activities. Multiple regression analyses of the smaller twins showed that individual steroid concentrations of the larger co-twin were the strongest influencing factor among nearly all parameters analyzed. CONCLUSION In monozygotic twin pairs with greater intra-twin bw-differences (≥1 SDS), we found that bw had a long-lasting impact on steroid metabolism, with significant differences regarding DHEAS metabolites and relative androgen production. However, most parameters showed significant intra-twin correlations, suggesting a consistent interrelationship between prenatal environment, genetic background, and steroid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schulte
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Plamper
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kasner
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathias Gruenewald
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Neonatology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rolf Fimmers
- University Hospital Bonn, Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE),, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Centre of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Centre of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Giessen, Germany
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- University Hospital Bonn, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
- Children's University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bettina Gohlke
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
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Kasner C, Schulte S, Schreiner F, Fimmers R, Stoffel-Wagner B, Bartmann P, Woelfle J, Gohlke B. IGF-I in cord blood is predictive of final height in monozygotic twins with intra-twin birth weight differences. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2020; 93:322-328. [PMID: 32403178 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adverse prenatal conditions can exert a long-lasting impact on growth up to final height (FH). Due to different prenatal nutrient availability, monozygotic twin pairs with discordant birth weight (bw) provide an excellent model to examine the impact of genes and environment and to analyse the predictive value of bw, birth length (bl) and cord blood (cb) concentration of IGF-I on FH. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty eight monozygotic twin pairs with intra-twin bw-/bl-differences were studied at birth and longitudinally until FH. Intra-twin bw difference >1 SDS was defined "discordant" (n = 10 pairs). IGF-I was analysed in cord blood in all twins. Intra-twin differences (∆) in bw, bl and cord blood IGF-I were correlated with ∆FH. RESULTS Throughout growth and up until FH intra-twin length/height differences remained for all but two (26/28) twins and for all (10/10) discordant twins. In the discordant group, a highly significant intra-twin difference for FH-SDS was found with a mean intra-twin Δheight- SDS of 1.23 (range, 0.29-2.34). This corresponds to a mean Δintra-twin difference at FH of 7.9 cm (3.1 inch; range, 2-15 cm [0.79-5.9 inch]). Correlation coefficients were calculated to identify factors predicting FH: ∆bw (r = .678; P = .0005), ∆bl (r = .333; P = .0002) and ∆IGF-I in cb (r = .418; P = .0023). Interaction terms showed that IGF-I is an additional factor to the auxological data, leading to an improvement of the ∆FH modelling. CONCLUSION Prenatal environment leading to bw-/bl- and cbIGF-I differences in monozygotic twins had a long-lasting impact on growth until FH. Both, anthropometric data at birth and cbIGF-I are predictive of FH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Kasner
- Department Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Schulte
- Department Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Department Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rolf Fimmers
- Institute for Medical Biometry, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department Neonatology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Gohlke
- Department Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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The Value of Twins for Health and Medical Research: A Third of a Century of Progress. Twin Res Hum Genet 2020; 23:8-15. [PMID: 31983355 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2020.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In 1984, Hrubec and Robinette published what was arguably the first review of the role of twins in medical research. The authors acknowledged a growing distinction between two categories of twin studies: those aimed at assessing genetic contributions to disease and those aimed at assessing environmental contributions while controlling for genetic variation. They concluded with a brief section on recently founded twin registries that had begun to provide unprecedented access to twins for medical research. Here we offer an overview of the twin research that, in our estimation, best represents the field has progress since 1984. We start by summarizing what we know about twinning. We then focus on the value of twin study designs to differentiate between genetic and environmental influences on health and on emerging applications of twins in multiple areas of medical research. We finish by describing how twin registries and networks are accelerating twin research worldwide.
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Schulte S, Gohlke B, Schreiner F, Gruenewald M, Fimmers R, Stoffel-Wagner B, Bartmann P, Woelfle J. Thyroid Function in Monozygotic Twins with Intra-twin Birth Weight Differences: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Pediatr 2019; 211:164-171.e4. [PMID: 31076228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the long-term impact of birth weight (BW) on thyroid function in genetically identical twins with intra-twin BW differences from birth to adolescence. STUDY DESIGN In total, 52 monozygotic twin pairs underwent at least one analysis of thyroid function at mean ages of 10.1 years (27 pairs), 15.1 years (35 pairs), and 17.4 years (36 pairs); 18 pairs donated blood at all time points. BW difference of <1 SDS was defined as concordant, BW difference ≥1 SDS as discordant. RESULTS In concordant twins, no significant differences were observed. In the discordant group, smaller twins had higher mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) than their larger co-twins at 10.1 years (3.6 vs 2.5 μU/mL; P = .04) and 15.1 years (2.6 vs 2.2 μU/mL; P = .08). Smaller twins showed lower mean thyroxine than larger co-twins at 10.1 years (7.8 vs 8.2 μg/dL P = .05) and 17.4 years (7.7 vs 8.4 μg/dL; P = .03), and a tendency at 15.1 years (6.9 vs 7.4 μg/dL; P = .09). Calculation of TSH-thyroxine ratio revealed significant differences in the discordant group, with greater ratios in the smaller twin at 10.1 years (0.5 vs 0.3; P = .006) and 15.1 years (0.4 vs 0.3; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS In this group of monozygotic twins with intra-twin BW differences, BW seemed to exert a long-lasting impact on thyroid function. This may be due to a delay in hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis maturation, with TSH resistance during childhood and early adolescence in children with low BW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schulte
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bettina Gohlke
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathias Gruenewald
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rolf Fimmers
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department of Neonatology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Children's University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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11
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Binder G, Schweizer R, Blumenstock G, Ferrand N. Adrenarche in Silver-Russell Syndrome: Timing and Consequences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:4100-4108. [PMID: 28945864 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-00874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Premature adrenarche has been reported to be frequent in Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), but systematic studies are lacking. Here, we studied the prevalence of early adrenarche in SRS, potential predictors, and consequences based on cases with long-term follow-up. DESIGN AND SETTING This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 62 patients with SRS (34 boys) with documented age at adrenarche and positive Netchine-Harbison clinical score who were seen during the past 20 years with a median follow-up of 12.8 years. Clinical and biochemical characteristics were collected from patient records. Adrenarche was defined by reaching a serum dehydroepiandrosterone concentration >500 ng/mL. RESULTS Boys reached adrenarche at a median age of 9.2 years (quartiles: 7.6, 10.9 years) and pubarche at a median age of 11.7 years (quartiles: 10.7, 12.8 years). Girls reached adrenarche at a median age of 8.1 years (quartiles: 6.6, 10.1 years) and pubarche at a median age of 9.8 years (quartiles: 8.3, 10.8). Premature adrenarche occurred in 13% of the patients. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that early adrenarche was associated with early initiation of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment (P = 0.0024 in boys; P = 0.0195 in girls), but not with the Netchine-Harbison clinical score (P > 0.25). Response to rhGH treatment (median dose, 50 µg/kg/d) and adult height (n = 43) were not compromised by early adrenarche. CONCLUSIONS Early or premature adrenarche was more frequent in SRS than in the general population and was associated with early age at initiation of rhGH treatment. Response to rhGH treatment and adult height were not compromised by early adrenarche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Binder
- Pediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roland Schweizer
- Pediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gunnar Blumenstock
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nawfel Ferrand
- Pediatric Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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12
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A metric study of insole foot impressions in footwear of identical twins. J Forensic Leg Med 2017; 52:116-121. [PMID: 28918370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Foot impressions are of utmost importance in crime scene investigations. Foot impressions are available in the form of barefoot prints, sock-clad footprints, and as impressions within footwear. Sometimes suspects leave their footwear at the crime scene, and the insole of this footwear may contain the foot impression of the suspect which may be important evidence linking him or her to the crime. The task of identification based on the analysis of footprints can be challenging when the footprints belonging to one of the identical twin is available for examination. The present study is based on the quantitative measures of the foot impressions in the footwear of adult identical twins. The study was conducted on four sets of female monozygotic twins from the United States of America. A total of 17 length and breadth measurements were taken on each foot impression. A combination of Reel Method and Extended Gunn Method was utilized to produce the measurements. The measurements of the foot impressions were compared among the twins on the right and the left side. Differences were found in the various footprint measurements among the twins. The study's sample size was not large enough to apply robust statistical tests, but the study is significant in that it presents the first detailed comparative analysis of a large number of measurements of insole foot impressions of adult twins. The observations derived from the study are likely to assist forensic investigations in cases involving the foot impressions of the twins.
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Nordman H, Voutilainen R, Antikainen L, Jääskeläinen J. Prepubertal children born large for gestational age have lower serum DHEAS concentrations than those with a lower birth weight. Pediatr Res 2017; 82:285-289. [PMID: 28419081 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2017.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundChildren born small for gestational age (SGA) have higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations than children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). The overall metabolic risk associated with birth weight is U-shaped, but it is not known whether children born large for gestational age (LGA) have elevated serum DHEAS levels.MethodsA cohort of 49 children born LGA, 56 children born AGA, and 23 children born SGA were studied at 5-8 years of age. Anthropometric data at birth, at the age of 2 years, and at examination were recorded. Fasting blood samples were collected for serum analyses of DHEAS, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and insulin concentrations.ResultsThe children born LGA had lower serum DHEAS levels adjusted for body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) and age than the rest of the children. Lower birth weight SDS and higher weight gain during the first 2 years of life predicted higher serum DHEAS levels. Higher serum IGF-1 levels were also associated with higher prevalence of adrenarchal DHEAS levels.ConclusionBeing born LGA was associated with lower DHEAS levels, whereas small birth size and early catch-up growth predicted higher levels. This suggests that genetic or early epigenetic factors have an impact on adrenarche. IGF-1 may be a mediator in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrikki Nordman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Raimo Voutilainen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Leena Antikainen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jarmo Jääskeläinen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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