R.F,SEARCH REPORT #43

NationalOrganization of SUBJECT: Multiple Birth Data Form Statistical AnalysisMothersOl RESEARCHER: Stacey Allen, Graduare smdent

Twins Universiry of Kentucky

Clubs, Inc. DATE: 1995

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the Multiple Binh Data Form (MBDF) in astatistical manner.

METHOD: Approximately 1900 entries to the MBDF were studied. These were among the firstentries into this data base, so there was a wide range of ages of multiples represented.Most of the newer entries contain mainly newborn and very young multiples. StaceyAllen, a Graduate Student in Computer Science at the University of Kentucky, performedthis analysis as part of her graduate sodies.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Multiple Birth Data Form is a two-page questionnaire completed by mothers of multiples. On thisform, they are asked questiors about themselves, the multiples' father, their multiple pregnancy, and theirmultiples.

The MBDF was initiated in 19E7.

Presently, the MBDF is used for two purposes. First, it is used by the Research Department to assistthem in finding participants for professional research studies. For example, if a researcher is studyinghypertension in twin pregnancies, we can find mothers who had this problem and send them informationabout the study. Secondly, the Executive Office is sometimes called by casting agents looking for twins(usually identical) to be in a television show or a movie. They may ask for "1 year old, blond, femaleidentical twins in the New York City area." The MBDF can often help us find the type of twins neededfor these shows or movies.

Thetypeofmult ip lesfoundinthissubsetoftheMBDFwere:1854setsoftwins,38setsoftr ip lets,and3 sets of quadruplets.

RESULTS:

*'i*NOIE: Percentages may not add up to lfi)% because of unanswered or "unlmown" questions.Also, the questions concerning congmital or acquired diseases allowed three rtsponses for eachparent and multiple, *'r{'

I. MOTHER OF MULTIPLES INFORMATION1 . 93 2% of the respondents were members of NOMOTC .2. l.l7o of the respondents were adoptive mothers of multiples.3. There were 18 respondents with 2 sets of multiples; 1 with 3 sets; and 2 with > 3 sets.4. 95.47a of the mothers of multiples were married; 2.1% were divorced; 0.8% were single;

O.7Vo werc separated; and 0.5% were widowed.03-96 n4e / 600

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II. BIOLOGICAL PARENTS OF MULTIPLES INFORMATIONL. 71.7% said they would be interested in having their multiples in movies, television, etc.2. Most of the mothers in this part of the MBDF were born between the yeats 1947-1963.3. The majority of the fathers were born between the years 1945-1962.4. The ethnic backgrounds of the mothers wete: 96-67o Caucasian; 0.7% Black:0.5% Asian;

1.6% Hispanic; and O.7 Vo Other.5. The ethnic backgrounds of the fathers wete'. 95'5% Caucasian; 1.0 % Black; 0.8% Asian;

1.7 % Hispanic; and 1 .0% Other.6. 3.0% of the mothers were multiples themselves.7 . 29% of the fathers were multiples themselves.8. The age of the mother when the multiples were bom was: ( 18 (0'l%): 18-25 (21'a%):26'

30 (4L4%)i 3r-35 (29.4%);3640 (7.2%); and 41-50 (0.4%).9. The age of the father when the multiples were bom was: <18 (O.2%): 18-25 (1O.9%\ 26-30

(36.3%\t 3l-35 (33.6%);3640 Qa.2%)t 4l-50 (4.47o): and > 50 (0.4%).lO. 64.4% of the mothers had no known diseases. Allergies affected 23.O% of the moms. Less

common illnesses were: anemia (2'2%); arthritis (1.4%); hean problems or asthma(1.0%); diabetes, hypertension, or epilepsy (0'6%); kidney/urinary problem (0.5%);cancer (O.4%): dyslexia (0.3 %); cystic fibrosis, deformed limbs, hyperactivity,lung/respiratory problem or neurological problem (0.1 %).

ll. 70.4% of the fathers had no known diseases. Allergies affected 16.8% of the dads. LesscofiImon illnesses were: asthma (1.6%); hypertension (1.4%); anhritis or heart problem(1.3%); dyslexia (0.8%); diabetes (0.7 7o): cancet (0.6%); kidney/urinary problem(0.5 %); lungirespiratory problem (0.3 %); anemia or hyperactivity (O'2%); and cercbralpalsy, deformed limbs, neurological problem, or scoliosis (0' I 7o).

III. BIOLOGICAL MOTHER INFORMATIONL The multiple pregnancy was the first pregwmcy for 40.1% of the mothers; 31.3% their second

pregnancy; 17 .7 % their third pregnancy; 6.4% their fourth pregnancy; 2.6 % their fifthpregnancy; and L.6% their sixth pregnancy, or more.

2. 32.4% of the multiple pregnancies were diagnosed in the first trimester; 42.5% in the secondtrimester; 12.4% 7th-8th months; 2.57o 9th month; 2.0% dving labot and7.8% atdelivery.

83.1% of the multiple pregnancies were confirmed by ultrasound; 7.4% by X-ray; and 6.8%by delivery.

18.4% took birth control pills within 6 months prior to the multiple pregnancy.14.9% took fertility drugs within 6 months prior to the multiple pregnancy.0.8% of the multiple pregnancies were the result of in vitro fertilization.21 .3% of the mothers gained > 50 lbs. during their multiple pregnancyl. 47 .l% gained 3l-50

lbs.;222% gained 21-30 lbs.; 6.5% gained 11-20 lbs.; 1.5% gained 1-10 lbs; and 0.3%gained no weight.

52.7 7o of the multiples were delivered by C-section; 24.8% were delivered vaginally, withoutanesthesia; 18.6% were delivered vaginally, with anesthesia; and3.0% had both a vaginaland C-section delivery.

9. 13.7% of the multiples were delivered at >9 months; 46.0% ̂ t 8.5-9 months; 27.9% at 8-8.5months; 10.670 during the 7th month; 1.5% during the 6th month; ̂ \0.1% at 5 monthsor less.

10. The time between the births of the multiples was: (5 minutes (64.0%); 5-10 minutes(18.5%)i 11-20 minutes (9.5%);21-30 minutes (3.5%); 3l-60 minutes (2.6%): 1-2 hours(L2%\; ald >2 hours (0.5%).

ll. 5l.5Vo of the mothers had no complications;227o had premah.rre labor/delivery. 18.0% hadhypertension/toxemia; 5.3% had bleeding/hemorrhaging; and 1.0% had placenta previa.

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IV. MULTIPLES INFORMATION

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1. The majority of multiples represented in this section of the MBDF were born between theyears 1974-1988, with the range being from 1943-1990 '

2. The type of multiples were: 22.57o boy/girl twins; 18.6% identical girls; 18.1 % fraternalboys: 17.6% identical boys; 16.6% fratenal girls; 1.9% triplets; 0.2 % quadruplets

3. The ethnic background of the multiples were: 95.2% Caucasian; 0.9 % Black; 0.8 % Hispanic;and 0.4% Asian.

4. The binh weight of the mult ip les were: <2lbs. (0 '3-0.4%-2.4%-33.3%):2-3 lbs. (2.5-2.4%'17 .170 -33 .3%) ;34 l bs . (6 .1 -6 .5 -22 .0%) ;4 -5 l bs . (15 .7 - I7 1 -41 .5%) :5 -6 l bs . (30 .7 -32.2-r4.6Vo);6-7 lbs.(29.4-27-2.4%):7-8.5 lbs. (14.1-13%); 8.5-10 lbs. (r ' r -1.4%):r.!t*Note: First percentage is for the firstborn; second is for the second born; third isfor the triplet borni and fourth is for the quadruplet born.***

5. The birth length of the multiples was: ( 15 inches (2.5-2.6-10.3-66.7%); 15-18 inches (19.8-20.545.7%):18-20 inches (54.7 -54-2-35 '9%); 20-22 inches (21.6-21' .3-5.1%); and >22inches (0.5-0.5%). *** See note in #4***'

6. 50.4% of the firstborn multiples' birth/delivery position was cephalic (head Fnst);34.4% ofthe secondbom multiples were cephalic; 2.4% of the thirdborn triplets were cephalic.2.7% of the firstbom multiples were breech (bunocks first); 5.9% secondborn; and2.4%third born. 3.1% of the firstborn multiples were breech (feet ftrso; 11.2 % secondborn;and 4.9% thirdborn. 36.7% of the firstbom multiples were delivered by C-section; 39.3 %secondborn; 80.5% thirdborn. All of the quadruplets were delivered by C-section.

7 . 66.6% of twins were at any time breastfed; 34.L% of the triplets; and none ofthequadruplets.

g. 74.2% of firstborn multiples had no diseases. 8.0% had allergies. Less common illnesseswere: lung/respiratory problem (3.1%); asthma (2'9%); dyslexia (i.3%); cerebralpalsy (0.9%); hypertension or heart disease (0.8%); deformed limbs (0.5%);hydrocephalus or hyperactivity (0.4%); scoliosis, pyloric stenosis, or epilepsy (0.3 %);kidneyiurinary problem or mental retardation (0.2%); and Down syndrome or cancer(0 . r%).

g. 72.2% of secondborn multiples had no diseases. 8.6% had allergies. Less common illnesseswere: lung/respiratory problem (3.9%); asthma (3.4%); dyslexia (1.3%); hean disease(1.0%); hpertension (0.9%); epilepsy (0.6%); pyloric stenosis, kidneyiurinary problem,or cerebral palsy (0.4%); hydrocephalus or hlperactivity (0.3%); scoliosis or deformedlimbs (0.2%); and cancer, cleft palate, or mental retardation (0.1%).

lO. 72.1% of thirdborn multiples had no diseases. 9.3% had allergies. Less common illnesseswere: lung/respiratory problem (7 .0%J; and asthma or hydrocephalus (2'3 %).

lI. 75% of fourthborn multiples had no diseases' One quadruplet had hypertension.12. 7 .5% of rwins frequently experienced twin language (idioglossia).5.3% of triplets

experienced this frequently. 33.8% of twins experienced twin language to some degree.28.9% of triplets experienced this to some degree. 33.1,7o of twins did not experiencetwin language. 26.3% of triplets and 100.0% of quadruplets did not experience twinlanguage.

13. 47.7% of firstborns are right-handed; 47.6% secondboms; and 60% thirdborns.9.2% of firstborrs are left-handedl 8.8% secondborns; and 10.0% thirdborns. 7.4Vo offirstborns are ambidextrous; 8.0% secondboms; and 6.7 % thirdborns.

14. 6.1% of firstboms wear glasses all the time; 5.9% secondborns; and 5' 1% thirdborns.15. 0.7% of firstborns wear a hearing aid; and0.6% secondborns.16. 48.5% of the multiples have no siblings; 35% hzve one,8.7% havetwo;5.8% have three;

and, 1.0% have 6 or more siblings.l'7 . 8.I% of multiples have experienced ESP to some degree. I.07o have experienced ESP

frequentlY.03-96/ltEl600

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CONCLUSION:

2 .

Over 90% of respondents were members of NOMOTC. This is not a random study, because duesare required for membership. It is considered to be a biased study since the lower classes may notbe well represented.

The majority of the mothers of multiples in this section of the MBDF had the followingcharacteristics:

Married; one set of multiples; born between the yearc 1947 -1963: Caucasian; 26-35 years oldwhen the multiples were born; most common illness was allergies; multiple pregnancy was theirfirst or second pregnancy; multiple pregnancy was diagnosed in the first of second trimester andconfirmed by ultrasound; did not take birth control pills or have fertility treatment within 6months prior to the multiple pregnancy; gained over 31 lbs. during pregmncy; delivered by C-section; delivered at 8.5 months or later; two main complications were premature labor andhypertension/toxemia; there was less than 5 minutes between the births of the multiples.

3. The majority of the fathers of multiples in this section of the MBDF had the followingcharacteristics:Married; one set of multiples; born between the years 1945'1962: Caucasian; 26-40 years oldwhen the multiples were born; most common illness was allergies.

4. The multiples in this section of the MBDF had the following characteristics:Born between the years 1974-1988; 22.5% boylgirli 18.6% identical girls; 18. i % fraternal boys;17.6% identiea| boys; 16.6% fraternal girls; 1.9% triplets; 0.2% quadruplets; Caucasian; birthweight was 5-7 lbs for twins, 3-5 lbs. for triplets, snd. <2-4lbs. for quadruplets; birth length was18-22 inches for twins; 15-20 inches for triplets, and < 15 inches for quadruplets; 37.9Vo of twinswere delivered by C-section; 80.5% of triplets, ard 1O0% of quadruplets; 66.6% of twins were atany rime breastfed; 34.1% of triplets, and none of the quadruplets; three-fourths of the multipleshad no medical problems; most common illness was allergies, followed by lung/respiratoryproblems, asthma, dyslexia, hydrocephalus, hypertension, heart disease, and cerebral palsy;41.3% of twirss experienced twin language; 34.2% of triplets experienced twin language; mostmultiples are right-handed; about 10% are left-handed; 6.0% wear glasses; 0.7% wear a hearingaid; most multiple sets have one or no siblings; 8.17o have experienced ESP to some degree; only1.0% have experienced ESP frequently.

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