Higher Order Multiple Births Drop In The U.S. For First Time In A Decade.(Statistical Data Included)

2001 MAY 10 - (NewsRx Network) -- Triplet and other higher order multiple births (triplet/+) declined in 1999 for the first time in a decade after more than doubling between 1990 and 1998, according to the latest natality statistics released in an April 17, 2001, report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The new report, "Births: Final Data for 1999," shows that 7,321 triplet/+ babies were born in 1999, down from 7,625 in 1998. The triplet/+ birth rate declined 4%, from 194 to 185 per 100,000 live births. In comparison, in 1990, there were 3,028 triplet/+ births and the rate was 73 per 100,000. An estimated two-thirds of triplet/+ births are the result of fertility-enhancing therapies.

"There's been a lot of concern about some of the serious consequences associated with the enormous rise in higher-order multiple births over the past decade," said CDC director Jeffrey Koplan. "Most of these babies are born premature and of low birthweight, which puts them at risk for a variety of health threats, including infant death and severe life-long disabilities."

While triplet/+ births are down in the U.S., twin births continued to rise, from 110,670 in 1998 to 114,307 in 1999. The rate of twin births was also up 3%, from 28.l per 1,000 live births in 1998 to 28.9 in 1999. This rate has risen more than 25% since 1990.

Some of the other findings in the report include:

* The birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 years declined 3% to 49.6 births per 1,000 teenaged women. This rate has fallen 20% since 1991 and is now at a record low.

* Birth rates for women in their thirties increased 2% to 3% between 1998 and 1999, and are at their highest level in more than three decades. The birth rate for women aged 40-44 also increased in 1999.