Health condition and psychosomatic development of preschool multiple birth children

Aim of the study was to answer the questions: What health problems are predominant in preschool multiple birth children? Do they have deficits within basic indicators of biological development? Do abnormal results of psychological tests occur in the children population studied. Among patients treated in the Prematurity Complications Out-patient Clinic, 44 children from multiple pregnancies were enrolled to the study. Results: Physical examination did not reveal significant abnormalities in the children’s health. Anthropometric measurements showed underweight in 11/42 (26.2 %) patients and low height in 10/42 (23.8 %) patients. Mean level of mental maturity defined as ability to classify, in the group studied was IQ = 103. As many as 31 children achieved normal Columbia score, four children above the normal range and six below. Conclusions: 1) Examinations performed revealed weight and height deficits in approx. 25% of the children, while health abnormalities (including chronic disease) were found only in small percentage. 2) Assessment performed revealed that only few children had mental maturity below the age-adjusted normal range, while majority of them achieved results within the range or above. 3) Our findings including lack of significant abnormalities found may be related with specialised, regular and complex medical care applied from first months of life. 4) Results of some psychological tests may suggest that parents and other family members were excessively thoughtful and caring.