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Global epidemiology of multiple birth
1McMaster University Hamilton; Adjunct Clinical Professor, Dalhousie University Halifax, Canada. collins@mcmaster.ca
Reproductive Biomedicine Online
|July 18, 2008
Summary
Multiple births are increasing, driven by older maternal age and fertility treatments. While triplet rates are falling, twin rates continue to rise, necessitating strategies to minimize high-order pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Perinatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple births constitute a significant percentage of births and infant mortality.
- Multiple birth rates have shown a consistent upward trend since the 1970s.
- Recent trends show diverging rates for twin and triplet births.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in multiple birth rates.
- To identify key factors contributing to the rise in multiple births.
- To discuss implications for reproductive health and obstetric care.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical birth statistics.
- Correlation of birth rates with maternal age and fertility treatments.
- Review of trends in twin and triplet pregnancies.
Main Results:
- Twin birth rates continue to rise, while triplet rates have declined since 1998.
- Increased maternal age is a significant factor in dizygotic twinning.
- Fertility treatments contribute substantially to both twin and triplet births.
Conclusions:
- The decline in triplet rates is positive but requires continued monitoring.
- Strategies to minimize high-order pregnancies, including multifetal pregnancies, are crucial.
- Understanding the drivers of multiple births is essential for improving maternal and infant outcomes.
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