Plurality Characteristics, United States
Updated August 5, 2020 |
Infoplease Staff
The following table shows the number, percent, weight, and mean age of infants, according to birth plurality.
Singletons | Twins | Triplets | Quadruplets | Quintuplets/+ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | 3,889,191 | 125,134 | 6,898 | 434 | 69 |
Percent very preterm1 | 1.6 | 11.9 | 36.1 | 59.9 | 78.3 |
Percent preterm2 | 10.4 | 58.2 | 92.4 | 96.8 | 91.3 |
Mean gestational age (weeks) | 38.8 | 35.3 | 32.2 | 29.9 | 28.5 |
Percent very low birthweight3 | 1.1 | 10.2 | 34.5 | 61.1 | 83.8 |
Percent low birthweight4 | 6.1 | 55.4 | 94.4 | 98.8 | 94.1 |
Mean birthweight (grams) | 3,332 | 2,347 | 1,687 | 1,309 | 1,105 |
1. Very preterm is less than 32 completed weeks of gestation.
2. Preterm is less than 37 completed weeks of gestation.
3. Very low birthweight is less than 1,500 grams.
4. Low birthweight is less than 2,500 grams.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports, vol. 52, no. 10, Dec. 17, 2003. Web: www.cdc.gov/nchs .
Selected Demographic and Health Characteristics of Births by Race of Mother, 2004 | Births | Live Births and Birth Rates, by Year |