Skip to main content

Twins Have Less Fat Accumulation Than Singletons Beginning in Early Pregnancy

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 17, 2025.

via HealthDay

THURSDAY, April 17, 2025 -- Twins have proportionally less fat tissue accumulation in utero compared with singletons as early as 15 weeks of gestation, according to a study published online April 7 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Jessica L. Gleason, Ph.D., from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues evaluated longitudinal fetal soft tissue development. The analysis included data from ultrasound scans at 15 to 37 weeks of gestation from 2,604 singleton and 171 twin pregnancies (315 fetuses).

The researchers found that mean twin abdominal measurements were significantly smaller than those of singletons between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation for area (difference at 25 weeks, −48.6 mm2; difference at 37 weeks, −480.5 mm2) and between 27 and 37 weeks for maximum abdominal subcutaneous tissue thickness (difference at 27 weeks, −0.13 mm; difference at 37 weeks, −0.40 mm). Fractional thigh volumes were significantly smaller for twins (mean fractional thigh volume difference, −0.11 cm3; mean fractional fat thigh volume difference, −0.08 cm3) relative to singletons, beginning at 15 weeks and persisting through 37 weeks (mean fractional thigh volume difference, −7.55 cm3; mean fractional fat thigh volume difference, −5.60 cm3). Similarly, mean fractional lean thigh volume was significantly smaller for twins at 15 to 16 and 23 to 36 weeks. Compared with singletons, for the ratio of fractional fat thigh volume to fractional thigh volume, twins had a 2.7 to 4.2 percent smaller fat percentage between 15 and 37 weeks.

"Persistent findings of smaller twin sizes and less fat accumulation across pregnancy support the concept of an early evolutionary adaptive process in otherwise uncomplicated dichorionic twin growth," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Long-Term Stroke Risk Higher for Women With Pregnancy Complications

THURSDAY, July 3, 2025 -- Women who experience five major adverse pregnancy outcomes have a higher long-term stroke risk, according to a study published online June 23 in the...

Arsenic Less Than EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Tied to Adverse Birth Outcomes

THURSDAY, June 26, 2025 -- Arsenic measured in public water systems at levels below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level are associated...

Paternal Mental Distress Linked to Poorer Offspring Development

WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2025 -- Paternal mental distress is associated with poorer child development, according to a study published online June 16 in JAMA Pediatrics. Genevieve Le...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.