172 Unmet health care needs of healthy co-twins whose sibling has a chronic health condition from Turkey

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Objectives Co-twins of children with chronic health condition (CHC) may have unmet needs which has not previously studied. We aimed to examine the unmet needs of co-twins whose sibling has a CHC.Methods Using a cross-sectional observational design, families whose one of the twins aged 1-8 with a CHC and a healthy co-twin that were followed up at the Ankara University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Division between January 1,2022-January 1,2025 were invited to this study to assess the healthy co-twin for unmet needs. The Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development was used to gain comprehensive information.Results Of 65 twin pairs followed in the study period; 24 (36.9%) were not included as both siblings had CHC. Remaining 33(50.7% of the recruited sample) children, whose parents provided informed consent for this study were included in the sample, (60.6% boys, mean age:51±17.8months). Twenty-six (78.8%) co-twins with CHC were born as preterm with a median gestational age of 34 weeks (IQR:26-38). Most (54.5%) mothers reported feelings of depression. Fifteen (45.5%) children had unmet needs in health care such as routine childhood health care, and 12 (36.4%) in education needs. Eighteen (54.5%) co-twins play with other kids <1 times a week.Conclusions Co-twins of children with CHC in Turkey, an upper middle-income country experience unmet needs in health, activities, participation and education. Clinicians and policy makers should make sure that ‘healthy’ co-twins of children with CHC receive proper holistic care.

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