The metabolic syndrome in twins: A consequence of low birth weight or of being a twin?

Background: to evaluate if being a twin is a condition at risk of developin g metabolic abnormalities in the adult life 'per se' or as a consequence of the lower birth weight. Methods: 48 monozygotic twins and 50 non-twin cont rols, both with parental diabetes, were compared; the two groups were compa rable for age, sex and body mass index. Results: twins showed higher values of blood pressure, triglycerides, insulin resistance, fasting insulin, ins ulin AUCs and higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and, inversely, lower birth weight. After adjustment for birth weight, no significant assoc iation was evident with the twin status. Birth weight was inversely associa ted with the presence of the metabolic syndrome or of at least one or more of its components, while the positive association with the twin status was not significant. Conclusions: Our data suggest that low birth weight is mor e relevant than the twin status as a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome and its components.