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Health Effects of Multiple Birth Babies

The number of multiple births has increased over the years. According to the University of Florida, babies born from a multiple birth have more than a 50 percent chance of having adverse health defects.

  1. Premature Birth

    • More than 50 percent of twins--and more than 90 percent of triplets--are born before the week 37 of pregnancy. Some twins are born before week 35, making them prone to adverse health conditions and even death.

    Low Birth Weight

    • According to the Ottawa Coalition for the Prevention of Low Birth Weight, 55 percent of multiple birth babies are born with low birth weights (usually less than 5 ½ lbs. for twins, 4 lbs. for triplets and 3 lbs. for quadruplets). A baby with a low birth weight may find find it difficult to eat and fight infections. Low birth weight is also associated to respiratory, neurological and gastrointestinal problems.

    Birth Defects

    • Multiple birth babies may be born with congenital malformations, cerebral palsy or other types of physical and neurological disorders. Researchers from the Maternal Child Health Education Research and Data Center of the University of Florida found that multiple birth babies showed a high risk of having heart, brain, bladder and liver defects.

    Risks to the Mother

    • Multiple pregnancies may put mothers at a greater risk for maternal complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, iron-deficiency anemia and placental problems.

    Solution/Prevention

    • Oneatatime.org.uk mentions that multiple pregnancies can be seriously harmful to both the mother and her babies. In some instances, the doctor may recommend fetal reduction, the abortion of one or more fetuses before birth.

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