A study shows how the type of delivery can affect the psychological development of twins

A research team from the University of Malaga (UMA) in the field of medicine and psychology badyzed for the first time the effect of the type of childbirth on psychological development and l & # 39; The intelligence of the twins, demonstrating that Caesarean section carries an independent risk in these multiple areas. births.

"Twins are very vulnerable because their birth often ends prematurely and they often present complications of pregnancy and childbirth," says UMA gynecology professor Ernesto González Mesa, who on the basis of this study adds the possible difficulties that may result from cesarean section. , very common in multiple births.

We have verified that caesarean section becomes a risk factor for development. This is why gynecologists strongly believe in the benefits of badl delivery, and we advocate the use of this surgical procedure only in case of problems. "

Ernesto González Mesa, Professor of Gynecology, UMA

This study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychologyfinally included 160 twins born at the Materno-Infantil Hospital in Malaga in 2005; there were 7,000 births during this period and nearly 300 were multiple births. On the sample of all twins, 55% were born by badl delivery and 45% by caesarean section.

In a first phase of the study, the intelligence and the neuropsychological and psychopedagogical development of the participating children were tested. The results were compared in a second step with information on the obstetric and perinatal variables, such as the type of delivery, its problems, the age or weight of the newborn, among others.

"By comparing all the data, we found that children whose intellectual level and cognitive development were low were born by cesarean section," explains María José González Valenzuela, professor in the Department of Evolutionary Psychology and Education and Senior Researcher of the study.

The expert states that, in addition to the early diagnosis, this study aims to intervene through activities organized in the school and primary care centers. In this regard, Councilor Olga Cazorla Granados, co-author of this study, adds that educational environments are increasingly looking for neurological factors to explain the difficulties of psychological development.

Address the key reading, writing, and numeracy difficulties that twins often encounter and identify the benefits of badl delivery compared to cesarean section, for example, the neurological effects that children's intestinal flora, different in each type of childbirth, may result in the future lines to be followed in this study, which was also attended by Professor Dolores López Montiel, Department of Psychobiology and Behavioral Sciences Methodology.