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Of 124 premature multiple birth infants, 21 were identified as significantly sicker than their sibling(s). This sample included 18 sets of twins and 3 sets of triplets for a total of 45

infants. Infants were defined as the “sicker” or “healthier” based on the fact that their length of hospital stay was different by at least 7 days. The average duration of hospitalization of

the sicker sibling was 45.3 days as compared to 18.3 days for the healthier group. This difference is significant at the p < .001 level. The infants were given complete physical and

developmental examinations at 12 and 24 months of age corrected for their gestational age. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered by trained examiners blinded to the

medical history and current physical status of the siblings. Mental (MDI) and Physical (PDI) scores were compared from the infants' most recent test. It was found that the sicker siblings,

as a group, had higher MDI scores (x = 91.3) than did the healthier sibling (x = 90.2). Similarly, the PDI for the sicker infants was higher (x = 94.2) than that of the healthier infant (x =

92.5). The differences were not statistically significant. These data suggest that compensation for various perinatal complications does occur post-natally. Whether this improved outcome is

related to their prolonged hospital stay and the intense and continuous stimulation they receive in this setting or to the special solicitude of the parent(s) for a sicker infant, is

unknown.

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