[Epidemiology of twin and twin with birth defects in China]

To investigate the incidence of twin and twin with birth defect (BD) and with neural tube defect (NTD) in China.

A prospective monitoring was conducted among the perinatal infants born in 945 hospitals in 20 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions in China during the period from 1 October 1986 to 30 September 1987 to count up the numbers of twins and of twins with BD or NTD.

1 243 284 infants were born during this period. Among these perinatal infants there were 12 715 pairs of twins with an incidence of 10.23%. The incidence rates of twin with BD and of twin with NTD were 36.81% and 5.27% respectively. There was no difference in incidence rate of twin among different parts of the country and between urban area and rural area. The incidence rate of twin was the highest among the women aged 20 approximately 39, among primipara, and in October and November. The incidence rate of twin with BD showed no difference among different seasons, parities, and parts of the country and between urban area and rural area. Most of twin with BD occurred at the age 20 approximately 39. Most twins with NTD were born in the northern provinces and rural area. The incidence rate of twin with NTD was correlated with season, most twins with NTD being born in November, and was no correlated with age and parity of the mother.

The incidence of BD, especially the incidence of NTD, among twins is significantly higher than that among total perinatal infants in China. Prenatal monitoring is important for twin pregnancy.