Early Nutrition, Growth Parameters and DNA Methylation Differences of Preterm Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins Combined with Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction
10.11714/jsysu.med.YX20250194
- VernacularTitle:合并选择性宫内生长受限的单绒毛膜双羊膜囊早产双胎的早期营养与生长及DNA甲基化比较
- Author:
Jiali FENG
1
;
Peisong CHEN
2
;
Muxue YU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics,The First Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat-sen University,Guangzhou 510080,China
2. Department of Laboratory Medicine,The First Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat-sen University,Guangzhou 510080,China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
monochorionic diamniotic twins;
selective intrauterine growth restriction;
DNA methylation;
early nutrition;
growth
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2026;47(2):328-335
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate early nutrition and growth of preterm monochorionic diamniotic(MCDA) twins combined with selective intrauterine growth restriction(sIUGR) and explore the potential role of DNA methylation in regulating extrauterine growth. MethodsTwenty-four pairs of preterm MCDA twins combined with sIUGR hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from March 2019 to February 2022 were enrolled, divided into larger twins group(n=24) and smaller twins group (n=24) according to birth weight. The comparison of daily nutritional intakes, the incidence of neonatal complications and physical growth from birth to 24 months of corrected age between two groups was performed using t-test, analysis of ANOVA, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Differential DNA methylation analysis was performed using the methylation microarrays and differentially methylated site was validated using pyrosequencing method. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the daily intake of carbohydrate, protein, fat and energy between two groups (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of asphyxia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis between two groups (all P>0.05). Z-scores for weight, length and head circumference were significantly lower in the smaller twins group compared with the larger twins group from birth to 24 months of corrected age(all P =0.000). Difference in Z-scores for weight and length at term, 6 months, 12 months of corrected age did not differ significantly from that at birth(all P>0.05) while difference in Z-scores for weight and length between the twins at 18 months and 24 months of corrected age were significantly lower than that at birth (P = 0.009, P = 0.032, P = 0.026, P = 0.004). Difference in Z-scores for head circumference at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months of corrected age were significantly lower than at birth (P = 0.001, others P = 0.000) except at term(P>0.05). The differences in weight, length and head circumference between the twins at term, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months of corrected age significantly reduced (P = 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.001, others P = 0.000). Eighteen differentially methylated sites were identified and the methylation level of NFATC1 gene in the smaller twins group was significantly higher than that in the larger twins group(P = 0.043). ConclusionMCDA twins combined with sIUGR shares similar early nutrition and neonatal complications, while smaller twins at 24 months of corrected age grow faster than larger twins, which might be related to a higher methylation level of NFATC1 gene in smaller twins.