| August 9, 2002 |
Contact:
HRSA Press Office
301-443-3376 |
New Study Examines Impact of Rise in Multiple Births
on Preterm and Low Birthweight Rates
A new study finds that a significant increase in multiple births –
with more of these babies delivered preterm (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy)
-- has contributed to higher overall rates of preterm delivery and low
birthweight in several nations. Twins and triplets are more likely
to be delivered early or preterm and are smaller than most single or
full-term babies. Caring for these preterm babies could lead to
substantially higher health care costs, researchers warn.
“The Impact of the Increasing Number of Multiple Births on the Rates
of Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight: An International Study,” written
by a team of international researchers that included HRSA’s Michael
Kogan, Ph.D., was published in August’s American Journal of Public
Health, http://www.ajph.org/.
Kogan and fellow researchers analyzed birth certificate and survey
data from the United States, Canada, France, England and Wales between
1981 to 1997 to explore the effect of twin and triplet deliveries on
trends in preterm births and low birthweight. Despite programs
and policies designed to lower the occurrence of preterm birth and low
birthweight, overall trends indicate that these rates have increased
substantially in the past 10 to 15 years.
Other findings indicate that:
- from 1981 to 1997, a dramatic increase in triplet rates was found
in all participating countries, with the United States holding the
greatest increase – 358 percent. The rate of twin births during
the same period increased by 39 percent in the United States and by
between 28 percent and 45 percent in Canada and the European nations.
- overall preterm delivery rates ranged from 5.8 percent in France
to 11.1 percent in the United States from 1995 to 1997. The U.S. rate
during this period was 15 percent higher when compared to data from
1981 to 1983.
Reducing preterm delivery is important because preterm newborns account
for an estimated 70 percent of perinatal mortality – death occurring
around the time of birth. Preterm survivors are also at greater
risk for health and developmental problems. Researchers foresee
that the rising number of multiple births will increase the burden on
health and neonatal service in North America and Europe since there
will be more children surviving with special health care needs.
Despite different health systems, the similar trends in multiple birth
rates across study countries indicate similar changes in clinical practice
and social factors contributing to those births, researchers contend.
Factors behind the rise in multiple births, for example, include greater
use of fertility treatments and other assisted reproductive technologies,
and more pregnancies among older women, whose rates of multiple births
are higher.
For more information on HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau and
children with special health care needs, visit
mchb.hrsa.gov.
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