Prevalence of multiple birth in Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND: According to increasing rate of using assisted reproductive technology (ART) which result in higher rates of multiple birth and natal difficulties, we aimed to determine the prevalence rate of multiple birth pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating birth files in 2009–2010 of main hospitals of Isfahan, Iran. RESULTS: Among 31640 files' studies, 614 cases of multiple birth pregnancies were investigated. The product of these pregnancies were 1286 (50.2% females) infants including 557 twins (17.6/1000), 56 triplets (1.8/1000), and one case of quadruple (0.03/1000). Infants weigh <2500 g were 84.9% of all. Mothers had a mean age of 27.9 ± 4.9 which 30.4% of them had a positive history of using ART. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of multiple birth pregnancies is growing. The need for more mother and child care is important. Using ART world wide is leading more multiple birth which could be a cause for more complicated pregnancies.