Twins and Triplets on the Rise: 1 in 30 Babies Born in U.S. is a Twin
Posted on April 2, 2012
Birth of twins and triplets are on the rise. In 2009, one in every 30 babies born in the United States was a twin compared with one in every 53 in 1980. In 2009, one in every 651 babies was a triplet, compared with one in 2,702 in 1980.
Women having children at older ages and the growing used of fertility treatments are two reasons for the increase in twins and triplets. Those fertility-enhancing therapies include both assisted reproductive technologies and ovulation stimulation medications. About 12 percent of U.S. women have had fertility therapies. Michigan State University's Barbara Luke reported the findings at the 14th Congress of the International Society of Twin Studies in Florence, Italy.
Luke says, "Prior to 1980, the incidence of U.S. twin births was stable at about 2 percent of all births, but it has risen dramatically in the past three decades. Older maternal age accounts for about one-third of the rise, and two-thirds is due to the increased use of fertility treatments."
In other research presented at the conference, Luke reported early embryo loss is associated with the significantly increased likelihood of lowered birth weight for the surviving fetuses.