Issue 155 Item 3 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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