Multiple birth rates of Korea and fetal/neonatal/infant mortality in multiple gestation

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to analyze recent trends of multiple birth rates (MBR) and fetal/neonatal/infant mortalities according to the number of gestations in Korea.MethodsData from 2009 to 2015 of live births, infant deaths and stillbirths were obtained from the Korean Vital Statistics. Neonatal mortality rate (NMR), infant mortality rate (IMR), and fetal mortality rate (FMR) in singleton, twin and triplet pregnancies were analyzed according to gestational period (GP; ≤ 23, 24–27, 28–31, and 32–36 weeks).ResultsFrom 2009 to 2015, twin and triplet birth rates increased 34.5% and 154.3%, respectively. In twin births, NMR and FMR have been decreased significantly (from 10.92 to 8.62, p = 0.034 and from 41.00 to 30.55, pConclusionNeonatal/infant mortality in multiple births is still significantly high, which is mainly related with preterm birth. Close fetal monitoring is needed to prevent fetal death in triplet pregnancies, after 32 gestational weeks.