[Increase in twin maternities and consequences on health]
1INSERM U953, Unité de recherche épidémiologique sur la santé périnatale et la santé des femmes et des enfants, 94805 Villejuif cedex, France. beatrice.blondel@inserm.fr
Journal De Gynecologie, Obstetrique Et Biologie De La Reproduction
|February 10, 2010
Summary
Twin maternity rates have significantly increased due to advanced maternal age and fertility treatments. Twin pregnancies pose higher risks, requiring specialized medical care for mothers and infants.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Reproductive Epidemiology
Context:
- Twin maternities have seen a substantial rise, increasing by approximately 80% between 1972 and 2006.
- Factors contributing to this trend include advanced maternal age and the widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies.
- Population-based studies, primarily from France and the European Union, form the basis of this review.
Purpose:
- To delineate trends in twin maternity rates.
- To identify contributing factors to these trends.
- To assess the associated risks for mothers and neonates in twin pregnancies.
Summary:
- Twin maternity rates reached 15.6 per 1000 maternities in 2008.
- Key risks for twins include fetal/infant mortality, preterm delivery (44.3% in France, 2003), small for gestational age, and cerebral palsy.
- While maternal age and fertility treatments drive twin rates, they do not significantly alter the inherent perinatal risks for twins.
Impact:
- Twin pregnancies represent a high-risk group necessitating enhanced medical surveillance compared to singleton pregnancies.
- There is a critical need to improve perinatal information systems in France for accurate monitoring of indicators stratified by fetal number.
- Findings underscore the importance of tailored care protocols and robust data collection for managing twin gestations.
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