Twins
Have A Greater Risk for Diabetes
New Zealand doctors have made a discovery that
could have implications for twins across the world.
The researchers say their studies show all twins
have double the usual risk of developing Type
2 diabetes.
Twins make up less than 2% of births, but the
fact that they share a womb appears to give them
a 40% chance of getting Type 2 diabetes as adults
- at least double the risk of single babies.
Paul Hofman from Auckland University's Liggins
Institute says the risk involves all twins, irrespective
of ethnicity.
Doctors at the institute made the discovery after
studying insulin levels in 50 sets of twins and
single birth children. They had expected to find
only smaller twin babies were at risk but Hofman
says the research shows that all twins were insulin
resistant.
"It may relate to placental factors...it
may relate in part to the nutrition that twins
get in utero... it remains unclear exactly what
the factors are," says researcher Wayne Cutfield.
But the discovery is seen as significant by diabetes
specialist Rick Cutfield.
"We weren't aware that twins had such an
increased risk and that it was independent of
birthweight. I think that's the big surprise,"
he says.
However, knowing they have a higher risk of diabetes
in their 40s and 50s means parents of twins, and
twins themselves, can modify their lifestyles
to considerably lower the risk. Doctors say avoiding
obesity is the key and special care should be
paid to diet and exercise regimes while young.
And Rick Cutfield says twins may need to have
some sort of heart risk assessment with their
GPs when they are adults.
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