More and more births

In Germany, multiple births are becoming more common

01/08/2013

The number of multiple births has increased significantly in Germany over the past twenty years. The figures of the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) in Wiesbaden reveal little of the oft-discussed birth decline in the multiple births. Here, instead of declining births, a clearly rising trend can be observed.

More and more twins, triplets and quadruplets in this country see the light of day every year, while the number of normal births declines for years. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2011 there were approximately 11,500 multiple births in Germany. This means that every 29th baby is now a multiple-child, whereas in 1991 only 42 newborns were affected. Although there are no detailed findings on the causes of multiple births, it is widely believed that these are related to hormone treatments and artificial insemination. Reproductive medicine therefore has a significant influence on the number of multiple births.

Health risks for mother and child in multiple pregnancies
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the majority of multiple births are twin births (98 percent). According to the latest figures, triplet births were already a rare occurrence in 2011 with 230 cases, four-child births with only six cases a veritable rarity. The Federal Office's statisticians also found that the parents of multiple children were more likely to be married than the single-born (75 percent vs. 66 percent). For the mothers and the unborn children a multiple pregnancy is always a risk pregnancy, as there are serious complications. Premature birth or premature birth of children is one of the usual risks here. The increased water retention especially in the legs as well as pregnancy-related high blood pressure, varicose veins, anemia and impairments of the maternal abdominal organs are possible consequences of multiple pregnancy. A risk that should not be underestimated is also the increased mortality of mothers and unborn children in multiple pregnancies. In twins and especially in triplets and quadruplets, growth delays due to insufficient nutrition in the mothers' body are to be expected. (Fp)

Picture: unopaella