Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Multiple Birth”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Annual summary of vital statistics: 2000.

The birth rate in 2000 (preliminary data) was 14.8 births per 1000 population, an increase of 2% from 1999 (14.5). The fertility rate, births per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 years, increased 3% to 67.6 in 2000, compared with 65.9 in 1999. The 2000 increases in births and the fertility rate were the third consecutive yearly increases, the largest in many years, halting the steady decline in the number of births and fertility rates in the 1990s. Fertility rates for total white, non-Hispanic white, black, and Native American women each increased about 2% in 2000. The fertility rate for black women, which declined 19% from 1990 to 1996, has changed little since 1996. The rate for Hispanic women rose 4% in 2000 to reach the highest level since 1993. Birth rates for women 30 years or older continued to increase. The proportion of births to unmarried women remained about the same at one third, but the number of births rose 3%. The birth rate for teen mothers declined again for the ninth consecutive year. The use of timely prenatal care (83.2%) remained unchanged in 2000, and was essentially unchanged for non-Hispanic white (88.5%), black (74.2%), and Hispanic (74.4%) mothers. The number and rate of multiple births continued their dramatic rise, but all of the increase was confined to twins; for the first time in more than a decade, the number of triplet and higher-order multiple births declined (4%) between 1998 and 1999 (multiple birth information is not available in preliminary 2000 data). The overall increases in multiple births account, in part, for the lack of improvement in the percentage of low birth weight (LBW) births. LBW remained at 7.6% in 2000. The infant mortality rate (IMR) dropped to 6.9 per 1000 live births (preliminary data) in 2000 (the rate was 7.1 in 1999). The ratio of the IMR among black infants to that for white infants was 2.5 in 2000, the same as in 1999. Racial differences in infant mortality remain a major public health concern. The role of low birth weight in infant mortality remains a major issue. Among all of the states, Utah and Maine had the lowest IMRs. State-by-state differences in IMR reflect racial composition, the percentage LBW, and birth weight-specific neonatal mortality rates for each state. The United States continues to rank poorly in international comparisons of infant mortality. Expectation of life at birth reached a record high of 76.9 years for all gender and race groups combined. Death rates in the United States continue to decline. The age-adjusted death rate for suicide declined 4% between 1999 and 2000; homicide declined 7%. Death rates for children 19 years of age or less declined for 3 of the 5 leading causes in 2000; cancer and suicide levels did not change for children as a group. A large proportion of childhood deaths, however, continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries.

Birth Rate↗

Management of multiple pregnancy: prenatal care--part II.

UNLABELLED: Over the past 20 years, the number and rate of multiple births have dramatically increased in the United States. The rise in multiple births is mainly attributable to the increased use of ovulation-inducing drugs and the newly developed assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Multifetal gestation is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Multiple births account for an increasing percentage of low-birth-weight infants, preterm births, and infant mortality. In this article, the unique complications of multiple gestation and their management are reviewed. Also, selective termination and multifetal reduction in multiple gestation are discussed. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the effects of the rising rate of multiple pregnancies on perinatal morbidity and mortality, to recall the complications of diagnosing and treating abnormalities of multiple pregnancies, to list the multiple severe complications associated with multiple gestations, and to describe the difficulty in managing these complications.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

Management of multiple pregnancy: labor and delivery.

UNLABELLED: Over the past 20 years, the number and rate of multiple births have dramatically increased in the United States. The rise in multiple births is mainly attributable to the increased use of ovulation-inducing drugs and the newly developed assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Multifetal gestation is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Multiple births account for an increasing percentage of low-birth-weight infants, preterm births, and infant mortality. In this article, the management of the labor and delivery of multiple gestation are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the mode of delivery of twin and triplet pregnancies. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the effects of the rising rate of multiple pregnancies on perinatal morbidity and mortality, to recall the complications of diagnosing and treating abnormalities of multiple pregnancies and to list the different safe options in managing labor in a multiple gestation.

Adult↗

[Peri-conceptional multivitamin administration may result in higher frequency of twin pregnancies].

A randomized controlled trial of periconceptional multivitamin supplementation including 0.8 mg folic acid was carried out for at least 28 days before conception. The trial was continued until at least until the second missed menstrual period to test the effectiveness of this new primary preventive method in the reduction of neural tube defects. However, other pregnancy outcomes were also evaluated. Of total of 5,502 pregnant women, 4,846 births were analysed in the final data base. The rate of multiple births was significantly higher in the multivitamin group (3.8%) than in the placebo-like trace-element control group (2.7%), and in both groups exceeded the multiple birth rate of 2.2% of women in the Hungarian population at large. 7.3% of women in the multivitamin and 7.9% of women in the trace-element groups received ovarian stimulation treatment (mainly clomiphen) for hormonal dysfunctions, e.g. anovulation. Nonetheless, our study showed that periconceptional multivitamin supplementation, with or without stimulation, increases the rate of multiple births.

Double-Blind Method↗

Sibling vesicoureteral reflux in multiple gestation births.

BACKGROUND: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most commonly inherited disease of the genitourinary tract. Although the majority of evidence supports a genetic cause, the tendency for this condition to spontaneously improve over time has made it difficult to determine the actual mode of transmission. We report the incidence of VUR in siblings of multiple gestation births and for the first time compare the relative incidence of reflux between identical and fraternal twins. METHODS: A database consisting of all radionuclide cystograms and voiding cystourethrograms performed between the years 1986 and 1996 was searched for multiple gestation births. The medical records of each patient were evaluated for age at presentation, zygosity, reflux grade, and time to resolution. Children with secondary causes of VUR (eg, posterior urethral valves) were excluded. Triplets were treated as 2 pairs of twins for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Forty-six pairs met the inclusion criteria (31 dizygotic and 15 monozygotic). Overall, 23 (50%) of 46 siblings of index cases had demonstrable VUR. Comparison of VUR prevalence between identical and nonidentical twins was revealing with 80% (12/15) of identical twins and 35% (11/31) of fraternal twins having VUR. When only the youngest individuals in each group were considered, 100% (7/7) of the monozygotics and 50% (5/10) of the dizygotics demonstrated this trait. CONCLUSIONS: High concordance for VUR in identical twin siblings supports a genetic basis for the transmission of this disease. Results obtained from fraternal twin siblings provides convincing evidence that this trait is transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion.

Child↗

Management of multiple pregnancy: prenatal care-part I.

UNLABELLED: Over the past 20 years, the number and rate of multiple births have dramatically increased in the United States. The rise in multiple births is mainly attributable to the increased use of ovulation-inducing drugs and the newly developed assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization. Multifetal gestation is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Multiple births account for an increasing percentage of low-birth-weight infants, preterm births, and infant mortality. In this section, we address the management of the multifetal pregnancy, focusing on the maternal physiology, the diagnosis, the pregnancy outcomes, and the antenatal management of multiple gestation. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the effects of the rising rate of multiple pregnancies on perinatal morbidity and mortality, to recall the complications of diagnosing and treating abnormalities of multiple pregnancies, and to list the many changes that occur in both the mother and the fetuses in multiple pregnancies.

Adult↗

Mono-ovulatory cycles: a key goal in profertility programmes.

Mono-ovulatory cycles for women are optimal because singleton pregnancies have a better outcome than multiples. Multiple births began to increase in the 1950s after the first appearance of effective ovulation induction for the treatment of anovulation. Since the 1980s when ovulation induction and IVF were more broadly applied to the treatment of unexplained and persistent infertility, there has been an unprecedented rise in multiple births. Strategies to achieve mono-ovulation during treatment of anovulatory patients are distinct from those for the treatment of ovulating patients who have unexplained and persistent infertility. Anovulatory patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can be treated with exogenous pulsatile GnRH, which restores normal gonadotrophin secretion, ovulation rates and conception rates. The multiple pregnancy rate is not increased with GnRH treatment. In patients with normogonadotrophic anovulation, attention should be given to diet and exercise before any other interventions are considered. Pharmacological induction of ovulation can be achieved with antiestrogen, gonadotrophin or pulsatile GnRH treatment; antiestrogen is the first choice with gonadotrophin more widely used for clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant patients. Obesity and polycystic ovaries are common in this group, so that gonadotrophin and GnRH treatment are associated with lower responses compared with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, and higher multiple pregnancy rates. Low dosage protocols are being tested that may lower the multiple birth rates. The role of drugs enhancing sensitivity to insulin, e.g. metformin, remains undetermined. Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy achieves conception rates that are equivalent to gonadotrophin treatment, with fewer multiple births. Augmenting normal ovulation processes for couples with unexplained and persistent infertility is less effective. Pregnancy rates are statistically significantly higher with CC but the size of the increase is not clinically important. CC with intrauterine insemination is associated with a clinically important effect on conception. Achieving mono-ovulation is more difficult in assisted reproductive technology cycles because success depends on maintaining the level of FSH above the threshold level longer than normal in order to increase the number of mature follicles. Milder stimulation for IVF and IVF in the untreated cycle show great potential, however, especially in view of the trend toward transfer of a single embryo in assisted reproductive treatment cycles.

Anovulation↗

Obstetric outcome of pregnancies following ICSI, classified according to sperm origin and quality.

The aim of this study was to report the outcome of all clinical pregnancies obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) performed during a 5 year period at two fertility clinics, with special reference to delivery outcome associated with different sperm origin and quality and the transfer of fresh or frozen-thawed pre-embryos. A total of 1293 clinical pregnancies was analysed. Deliveries occurred in 75.9% (n = 982) and early spontaneous abortion, late spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy in 21.4, 1.0 and 1.2% respectively. Multiple birth occurred in 21.3% (208 sets of twins and one set of triplets) of the deliveries, with the highest incidence in the epididymal sperm group (30.2%) and lowest in the cryopreserved group (13.7%). A total of 1192 infants was born. Preterm birth occurred in 15.7% of all deliveries. Preterm birth was not related to sperm origin or quality but was related to multiple birth. The prematurity rate was 8.4%, 42.3% and 100% for singletons, twins and triplets respectively. Singleton infants born after cryopreservation as embryos had a significantly higher birthweight than the ejaculated sperm group with fresh embryo transfer. The perinatal mortality rate was 11.7 per 1000 born infants. Eighty-seven of the 1192 infants (7.3%) had a malformation, 40 of which were minor. The perinatal mortality rate and the malformation rate were similar in the different subgroups. Prenatal karyotyping was performed on 149 fetuses (12.5%) and abnormal results were found in four cases (2.7%). In conclusion, obstetric outcome of ICSI pregnancies was similar to that of conventional IVF and was not influenced by sperm origin or quality. The high incidence of multiple births is still the major concern.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

How mothers cope with the death of a twin or higher multiple.

Estimates suggest up to 15% of multiples grow up as singleton survivors. Few studies have reported how bereaved multiple birth mothers with a surviving multiple cope with their bereavement. Using the population-based Western Australian Twin Child Health study database and other sources, we interviewed 66 bereaved mothers with at least one surviving multiple. For many, this contact was the first acknowledgement of their status as multiple birth mothers since their loss. The Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Edition (BDI) showed significant reduction in depression between the time of loss and our interview. For mothers as a group there was a high correlation between current and retrospective BDI, and retrospective BDI and all three Perinatal Grief Scales (PGS). There was a significant correlation between the three grief factors on the PGS. When subdivided, this held for mothers who suffered a loss at or before the neonatal period, but not for those whose loss occurred later. Bereaved mothers of multiples scored significantly higher on the PGS than the PGS norm for bereaved mothers of singletons, which we attribute to others not acknowledging their grief, and/or recruitment differences. There were no significant differences in PGS scores related to cause, the time since death, or sibling number or age. Spiritual beliefs and finding meaning in loss were positively related to scores for adjustment and acceptance. Although traumatised, most mothers accommodated their losses meaningfully in their lives. Their own support recommendations are included.

Adult↗

Effects of gestation and birth weight on the growth and development of very low birthweight small for gestational age infants: a matched group comparison.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of small for gestational age (SGA) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants on growth and development until the fifth year of life. METHODS: VLBW (< 1500 g) infants, selected from a prospective study, were classified as SGA (n = 115) on the basis of birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and were compared with two groups of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants matched according to birth weight (AGA-BW; n = 115) or gestation at birth (AGA-GA; n = 115). Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors were recorded, and duration and intensity of treatment were computed from daily assessments. Body weight, length, and head circumference were measured at birth, five and 20 months (corrected for prematurity), and at 56 months. General development was assessed at five and 20 months with the Griffiths scale of babies abilities, and cognitive development at 56 months with the Columbia mental maturity scales, a vocabulary (AWST) and language comprehension test (LSVTA). RESULTS: Significant group differences were found in complications (pregnancy, birth, and neonatal), parity, and multiple birth rate. The AGA-GA group showed most satisfactory growth up to 56 months, with both the AGA-BW and SGA groups lagging behind. The AGA-GA group also scored significantly more highly on all developmental and cognitive tests than the other groups. Developmental test results were similar for the SGA and AGA-BW groups at five and 20 months, but AGA-BW infants (lowest gestation) had lower scores on performance intelligence quotient and language comprehension at 56 months than the SGA group. When prenatal and neonatal complications, parity, and multiple birth were accounted for, group differences in growth remained, but differences in cognitive outcome disappeared after five months. CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight and with a short gestation (SGA and VLBW) leads to poor weight gain and head growth in infancy but does not result in poorer growth than in infants of the same birth weight but shorter gestation (AGA-BW) in the long term. SGA is related to early developmental delay and later language problems; however, neonatal complications may have a larger detrimental effect on long term cognitive development of VLBW infants than whether they are born SGA or AGA.

Birth Weight↗

Twins and more--2. Practical aspects of parenting in the early years.

Caring for twin, triplets or more can be a daunting prospect for parents, however much the children are wanted and loved. Multiple birth babies are more likely to be born preterm and of low birth weight, adding to the practical, financial and emotional pressures of coping with two or more babies. Good preparation and advice before the babies are born, as described in Part 1 of this article (Journal of Family Health Care 2005; 15151: 143-146) is essential. After the birth, parents need continuing support and access to care from professionals who understand their different and special needs. Bereavement counselling and support may also be required, as the mortality rate is higher for multiple births. Part Two looks at the care commonly needed for multiple birth families during the first five years.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Trends in twin and triplet births: 1980-97.

This report presents data from U.S. birth certificates on the numbers and rates of twin and triplet and other higher order multiple births for 1980-97. Over the study period, the number of twin births rose 52 percent (from 68,339 to 104,137) and triplet and other higher order multiple births (heretofore referred to as "triplet/+") climbed 404 percent (from 1,337 to 6,737 births). Comparable but less pronounced rises were observed in twin and triplet/+ birth rates. Growth in twin and triplet/+ birth rates was most marked among women aged 30 years and over. Between 1980-82 and 1995-97, the twin rate rose 63 percent for women aged 40-44 years, and soared nearly 1,000 percent for women 45-49 years. (As one result, there were more twins born to women 45-49 years of age in 1997, than during the entire decade of the 1980's.) The triplet/+ birth rate rose nearly 400 percent for women in their thirties and exploded by more than 1,000 percent for women in their forties. The extraordinary rise in multiple births resulted in a shift in age-specific patterns, and the highest twin and triplet/+ birth rates now are for women 45-49 years of age. Historical differences in twinning rates between non-Hispanic white and black mothers have been largely eliminated (28.8 per 1,000 non-Hispanic white compared with 30.0 for black women). Non-Hispanic white women were more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic black or Hispanic women to have a triplet/+ birth. Rates of low birthweight, very low birthweight, and infant mortality were 4 to 33 times higher for twins and triplet/+ compared with singleton births. The risk for these adverse outcomes was lowest for twins and triplet/+ born to women 35-44 years of age. Twin birth rates for Massachusetts and Connecticut were at least 25 percent higher than the U.S. rate; triplet/+ rates for Nebraska and New Jersey were twice the national level.

Adult↗

Factors associated with variation in plasma copper levels in preterm infants of very low birth weight.

At 2-weekly intervals from age 4-14 weeks, the possible effects on plasma copper concentration of gestation, multiple birth, fractional weight change from birth (W/BW) and, up to 10 weeks, average daily total copper intake from birth were explored in 43 preterm infants of very low birth weight. There was no significant association between the logarithm of the plasma copper concentration (ln Cu) and multiple birth at any time and no significant association between ln Cu and gestation was found from 4-12 weeks. From age 4-10 weeks, there was a significant negative correlation between ln Cu and W/BW and at 4, 6 and 10 weeks there was also a significant negative correlation between ln Cu and copper intake. W/BW and copper intake were correlated throughout. At 14 weeks, ln Cu correlated positively with gestation and negatively with W/BW but, at this age, gestation and W/BW were correlated. The maximum total variation (R2) in ln Cu explained by its regression on gestation, multiple birth, W/BW and/or copper intake combined was only about 31% (at 10 weeks). The potential for copper depletion may be greater in rapidly growing infants.

Birth Weight↗

Determinants of preterm birth rates in Canada from 1981 through 1983 and from 1992 through 1994.

BACKGROUND: The rates of preterm birth have increased in many countries, including Canada, over the past 20 years. However, the factors underlying the increase are poorly understood. METHODS: We used data from the Statistics Canada live-birth and stillbirth data bases to determine the effects of changes in the frequency of multiple births, registration of births occurring very early in gestation, patterns of obstetrical intervention, and use of ultrasonographic dating of gestational age on the rates of preterm birth in Canada from 1981 through 1983 and from 1992 through 1994. All births in 9 of the 12 provinces and territories of Canada were included. Logistic-regression analysis and Poisson regression analysis were used to estimate changes between the two three-year periods, after adjustment for the above-mentioned determinants of the likelihood of preterm births. RESULTS: Preterm births increased from 6.3 percent of live births in 1981 through 1983 to 6.8 percent in 1992 through 1994, a relative increase of 9 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 7 to 10 percent). Among singleton births, preterm births increased by 5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 3 to 6 percent). Multiple births increased from 1.9 percent to 2.1 percent of all live births; the rates of preterm birth among live births resulting from multiple gestations increased by 25 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 21 to 28 percent). Adjustment for the determinants of the likelihood of preterm birth reduced the increase in the rate of preterm birth to 3 percent among all live births and 1 percent among singleton births. CONCLUSIONS: The recent increase in preterm births in Canada is largely attributable to changes in the frequency of multiple births, obstetrical intervention, and the use of ultrasound-based estimates of gestational age.

Birth Rate↗

[Preterm birth in multiple pregnancy].

The incidence of twin and higher-order multiple gestations has increased significantly over the past 15 years primarily because of the availability and increased use of ovulation-inducing drugs and newly developed assisted reproductive technologies. Physicians now must deal with a previously unknown type of multiple gestation, that is, the iatrogenic multiple pregnancy. The most significant and common complication of multiple pregnancy is preterm labor resulting in preterm delivery. Perinatal morbidity and mortality are affected by gestational age and weight at delivery as well as by the number of fetuses. Patient education, risk assessment, serial cervical evaluation by manual or transvaginal ultrasound examinations, specialized antepartum clinics will be use to prevent preterm birth in multiple gestations.

Birth Weight↗

The decreased rates of triplet births: temporal trends and biologic speculations.

Recent data from the US and from England and Wales demonstrate decreasing rates of higher-order multiple births and represent, for the first time, a striking change in trend when compared with the previous steep 4-fold increase since the early 1980s. However, the incidence of other multiples--twins--continued to escalate. The most probable reasons for this change are new embryo transfer guidelines and availability of multi-fetal pregnancy reduction procedures. Because actual numbers of higher-order multiples are by far lower than the number of twins, and because twins are predictably associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality, the implications of the ever-increasing multiple birth rates are no less alarming. As long as the incidence of twins is not reduced, the decreasing incidence of higher-order multiples, per se, does not herald the end of the epidemic of multiple births.

Embryo Transfer↗

Dramatic reduction in triplet and higher order births in England and Wales.

The proportion of multiple births has increased markedly since 1980 in England and Wales. A major contribution to this trend is thought to be the widespread introduction of assisted reproductive technologies. Despite a continuing (but slower) upward trend in twin maternities, analysis of recent data shows that the rate of triplet and higher order births in England and Wales has declined by one-quarter since 1998. This probably reflects both voluntary and statutory regulation of treatment regimes. This downward trend will help alleviate the high burden of perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with multiple births.

Adult↗

[Delivery in multiple pregnancies].

BACKGROUND: A knowledge of clinical physiognomy in pathologies related to multiple births is indispensable for improving maternal and feto-neonatal prognosis. This study is a contribution to the solution of this problem. METHODS: A meta-analysis of data for multiple births at Department B of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at the University of Turi during the decade 1989-1998 was carried out, focusing on the arrangement and presentation of fetuses, the various types of birth, the gestational age at which birth occurred, the weight of neonates, neonatal mortality and maternal morbidity. RESULTS: Out of 11,523 births, there were a total of 194 (1.68%) multiple births, including 190 sets of twins and 4 triplets. 154 (79.38%) premature births were reported; 20 occurred <32(nd) week (10.29%). There was a high incidence of podalic presentation (26.30%) and shoulder presentation (5.61%) among twins; 202 were delivered using a cesarian section (51.53%) and 190 by vaginal birth (48.47%), of which 172 (90.52%) spontaneously. Surgical birth was an important means of extracting fetuses rapidly from a pathological environment. two hundred and sixty-two neonates (66.84%) were LBW (<2500 g), including 28 (7.14%) VLBW (>1500 g). The perinatal mortality rate was 3.82%. Maternal complications mainly occurred during the placental state, in the immediate postpartum and in puerperio. CONCLUSIONS: The authors feel that a more careful medical and social assistance, preventive hospitalisation, early recognition of the risk, constant monitoring for the optimal timing of birth, and lastly, qualified medical assistance during labour (expert gynecologist, trained obstetric staff) with other medical personnel (anesthetist, neonatal specialist) represent winning strategies to solve the problems arising during multiple pregnancies.

Adult↗