Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0096 |
| Title: | Ischaemic heart disease and low birth weight: a test of the fetal-origins hypothesis from the Swedish Twin Registry |
| Author(s): | Vagero D, Leon DA |
| Reference: | Lancet 1994; 343: 260-63 |
| Place of Study: | Sweden |
| Abstract: | The mortality of 8,174 female and 6,612 male Swedish twins was analysed. Ischaemic heart disease mortality was not higher among monozygomatic and dizygomatic twins (relative risk 0.99 for women, 0.85 for men). However, the shorter twin in a twin pair was more likely to die of heart disease than the taller. The authors conclude that the type of growth retardation in utero experienced by twins does not constitute a risk for ischaemic heart disease in adulthood. |
| Keyword(s): | birth weight, coronary heart disease, twins |
| Discussion: | This result should be compared with the results of a study by Chistensen et al (see entry 0093). The study of twins is a way to eliminate the issue of birth order. In most studies relating an adult condition to birth size, birth order has not been taken into consideration. Yet birth order is the best known single factor influencing birth weight. |
| See Also: | 0093 |
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