Epidemiology and biology of multiple gestations.
Twins have always aroused interest and have been represented throughout history. Conjoined twins have caused even more sensation, the best-known pair being Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Thailand in 1811 and inspired the term Siamese twins. Recently, higher-order multiples have caused controversy, and there has been heavy media coverage of large-number deliveries, such as the McCaughey septuplets. In this article, we review the incidence, types, and causes of multiple gestations.
Endres
Loraine
L
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Illinois Medical Center, 820 S. Wood St., MC 808, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. lendres@uic.edu
Wilkins
Isabelle
I
D001695:Biology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014427:Twins / Q000502:physiology