The Effects of Birth Weight on Rates of Motor Development of Identical Twins

Abstract

The problem. The problem of this study is to determine whether birth weight effects the rate of motor development of identical twins. Procedure. A questionnaire concerning rates of motor development was administered to mothers of identical twins. The questionnaires were returned, analyzed and divided into two select groups used in the study. The intra-pair differences of rates of development of five motor skills were compared for the minimal birth weight difference group and the maximal birth weight difference group. The mean performance gains were established and a "t" test was administered to them. Concurrently a longitudinal case study of identical twins, who possesssd a maximal birth weight difference was made. The data were recorded on films and in a diary of motor development. The films and diary were viewed and analyzed by the researcher and two educators. Findings. The value of "t" was determined to be 1.19 which is less than the 0.5 level of probability (2.776). The researcher therefore concludes that there was no significant difference between the mean performance gains of "twin B" of the minimal birth weight difference group and the mean performance gains of "twin B" of the maximal birth weight difference group. Conclusions. The researcher accepts the null hypothesis. There is no significant difference between the mean performance gains of "twins B" of the minimal and maximal birth weight difference groups. Recommendations. 1. Placenta analysis should be performed routinely when twins are born to determine if anastomoses occurred and to determine zygosity. 2. More research concernint the effects of birth weight on the rate of motor development of identical twins should be performed with research controls concerning: placenta analysis, intra-pair birth order, type of birth process, complications of birth process, and age of twins when research is performed.