predisposing factors for multiple pregnancy

Last reviewed 04/2023

  • overall background rates (UK)
  • twins 1 in 105 births
  • triplets 1 in 10 000 births
  • quadruplets 1 in 500 000 births

  • maternal age:
    • < 20 years, 6.4 per 1000 births
    • > 40 years, 16.8 per 1000 births

  • parity
    • para 0, 9.8 per 1000 births
    • para 7, 18.0 per 1000 births

  • family history: maternal, binovular, 5-15% incidence

  • race:
    • Afro-carribean 1 in 60 twins
    • Japanese 1 in 154 twins

  • Induced ovulation:
    • Human ant. pit. 44% multiple
    • purified HMG and HCG 10% multiple
    • clomiphene 10% multiple