Death in Newborn Twins Has Decreased in the U.S.

A group of researchers did a population-based retrospective analysis of twins and perinatal mortality in the United States. The results were published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2018. Perinatal mortality was defined as stillbirth at or after 22 weeks and death of a baby up to 28 days. The researchers looked at mortality in relation to ethnicity as well. Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White were included in the study.

Mortality highest in non-Hispanic Black population

The study found that in all ethnic groups the overall trend of perinatal mortality was decreasing. This decrease found place between 2000 and 2013 in all ethnic groups. However, during each year, perinatal mortality was the highest in the non-Hispanic Black population followed by Hispanic and the non-Hispanic White population. The study concluded that racial disparities in availability of health care – including access and utilization – are important issues to look at in order to decrease perinatal mortality in the U.S.