The birthrate for twins has increased substantially in the U.S. over the past 35 years.
In fact, twin births represent 3.3 percent of all births, up from 1.9 percent in 1980. But, as more women are delivering twins, their risk for having a premature birth remains high, at over 50 percent, versus about 10 percent for women carrying just one child.
Women that are pregnant with twins have a much greater risk of delivering preterm. A new diagnostic tool has been studied that allows physicians to much more accurately predict whether or not a woman carrying twins is at risk for a premature birth.
Premature babies are at much greater risk for many complications that can affect their physical and intellectual life-long health, and they often require lengthy hospital stays after birth.
What's the new tool that can help calculate the risk for both babies and mothers?
Nathan Fox, MD, discusses why the birthrate for twins have drastically increased, as well as a new diagnostic tool that has been studied to allow for better accuracy in predicting premature birth.
Increased Birthrate for Twins May Cause Premature Birth
The birthrate for twins has increased substantially in the U.S. over the past 35 years.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 1
- Audio File: health_radio/1536ml1c.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Nathan Fox, MD
- Guest Website: Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates
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Guest Bio:
Nathan Fox, MD is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist with sub-specialty certification in Maternal Fetal Medicine. He completed his MFM fellowship training at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Fox provides prenatal care, obstetrical deliveries and perinatal consultations at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates.
He also provides OB-GYN ultrasound services and prenatal diagnostic testing in our imaging affiliate, Carnegie Imaging for Women. As a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, Dr. Fox specializes in medically complicated pregnancies and prenatal diagnostic ultrasound.
In addition to his work in the clinical setting, Dr. Fox is actively engaged in research into Maternal Fetal Medicine issues with numerous peer-reviewed professional publications to his credit. Currently, he is an Associate Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
His clinical and research interests include first trimester risk assessment, fetal growth restriction, ultrasound, preeclampsia, and multiple gestation. - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: No
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Health Radio