Multiple births and outcome

Clin Perinatol. 2000 Jun;27(2):347-61, ix. doi: 10.1016/s0095-5108(05)70025-7.

Abstract

The rate of multiple-gestation pregnancies has grown exponentially over the last few decades and is responsible for the steady increase in the birth rate of low-birth weight infants. As a group, infants of multiple-gestation pregnancies have higher mortality and morbidity than singleton pregnancies. The increase in adverse outcomes is related directly to the increased risk for preterm delivery and low-birth weight, and not to the multiple gestation itself. Outcomes for multiple-gestation infants appear to be similar whether conceived spontaneously or through artificial reproductive technology. Efforts to reduce the birth rate of low-birth weight infants should target multiple-gestation pregnancies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Birth Rate
  • Delivery, Obstetric / methods
  • Female
  • Fetal Death / epidemiology
  • Fetal Death / etiology
  • Fetal Death / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Morbidity
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / epidemiology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / etiology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple / statistics & numerical data*
  • Reproductive Techniques
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology