Human Reproduction Update, Vol.5, No.2 pp.179-187, 1999
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 1999; all rights reserved
The epidemiology of multiple births
0 Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milan, Italy 1 Prima Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università di Milano, 20100 Milan, Italy 3 Servizio di Ecografia, Divisione Ostetrico Ginecologica, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, 35100 Padova, Italy 2 Corresponding author at: Istituto 'Mario Negri', Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milan, Italy
Abstract
On the basis of MEDLINE and manual searches, we examined the main papers in the English literature regarding risk factors for spontaneous (i.e. not related to fertility drug use) multiple births. The constant frequency of monozygotic (MZ) pregnancies over time and in different geographical areas suggests that the determination of MZ twins is largely unchanged over time, and that a genetic mechanism may have a role. In contrast, temporal and geographical trends observed in dizygotic (DZ) pregnancies suggest that environmental factors play a role in determining this condition. At present, maternal age and hereditary components are the best-defined determinants for spontaneous multiple births.
Keywords: epidemiology/multiple births/risk factors
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  K I Aston, C M Peterson, and D T Carrell Monozygotic twinning associated with assisted reproductive technologies: a review Reproduction, October 1, 2008; 136(4): 377 - 386. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Helle Why twin pregnancies are more successful at advanced than young maternal age? A potential role of 'terminal reproductive investment' Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2008; 23(10): 2387 - 2389. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Hoekstra, Z. Z. Zhao, C. B. Lambalk, G. Willemsen, N. G. Martin, D. I. Boomsma, and G. W. Montgomery Dizygotic twinning Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2008; 14(1): 37 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Cundy, G. Gamble, L. Neale, R. Elder, P. McPherson, P. Henley, and J. Rowan Differing Causes of Pregnancy Loss in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Care, October 1, 2007; 30(10): 2603 - 2607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Ji, A. Forsti, J. Sundquist, and K. Hemminki Risks of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers after twin births Endocr. Relat. Cancer, September 1, 2007; 14(3): 703 - 711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.N. Beemsterboer, R. Homburg, N.A. Gorter, R. Schats, P.G.A. Hompes, and C.B. Lambalk The paradox of declining fertility but increasing twinning rates with advancing maternal age Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2006; 21(6): 1531 - 1532. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N Obi-Osius, B Misselwitz, W Karmaus, and J Witten Twin frequency and industrial pollution in different regions of Hesse, Germany Occup. Environ. Med., June 1, 2004; 61(6): 482 - 487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Golubovsky Higher mole and lower dizygotic twin rate in Japan: are these oddities associated with the same reproductive errors? Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2003; 18(8): 1753 - 1755. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Astolfi, L. Ulizzi, and L.A. Zonta Changes in twinning rate: Italy 1950-1996 Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2003; 18(1): 207 - 211. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. F Olsen Commentary: Does use of food supplements influence the twin rate? New evidence from a randomized controlled trial Int. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2001; 30(4): 807 - 808. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. E. C. Workshop Group Multiple gestation pregnancy Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2000; 15(8): 1856 - 1864. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|