[Two-year follow-up cohort studies on triplets: development of children and mother-child relationship].
BACKGROUND
The number of triplets births has increased during the last 15 years. The psychomotor development of triplets, problems concerning long-term relationships between the mother and her children and between the children themselves are still incompletely studied.


METHODS
Eleven families with triplets, consecutively born at the Clinique Baudelocque, were assessed at home for 2 years by the same psychologist. IQ was measured in each child at the age of 2 years using the Brunet-Lezine test. At this age, all mothers completed the Symptom-Check List allowing to assess eventual relationship difficulties between the mother and their children.


RESULTS
The psychomotor development of the children (IQ = 100) was similar to the mean score in the general population. The mother reported great physical fatigue during the first year after birth and psychological difficulties during the second year. They mentioned behavioral problems and difficult relationships among the triplets. They complained of not being able to fulfill the children's demands. In four families, more severe difficulties, potentially damaging the psychological well-being of the children, required an intervention during the survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved and prolonged help to families with triplets is necessary, requiring the participation of pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and specialized people.
Unité de recherches épidémiologiques sur la santé des femmes et des enfants, Inserm U 149, Villejuif, France.
M
M
Garel
E
E
Chavanne
B
B
Blondel
D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D014310:Triplets / Q000523:psychology*
Suivi à 2 ans d'une cohorte de triplés: développement des enfants et relations mères-enfants.