Editing Multiple birth (section)

===Premature birth and low birth weight===
Babies born from multiple-birth pregnancies are much more likely to result in [[premature birth]] than those from single pregnancies. 51% of twins and 91% of triplets are born preterm, compared to 9.4% in singletons.<ref name="Alexander-1998">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Alexander GR, Kogan M, Martin J, Papiernik E |date=March 1998 |title=What are the fetal growth patterns of singletons, twins, and triplets in the United States? |journal=Clin Obstet Gynecol |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=114–25 |doi=10.1097/00003081-199803000-00017 |pmid=9504230}} {{clear}}''Note: This study was done by looking at the 1991–1995 U.S. Natality Files, which were received from the National Center for Health Statistics''</ref> 14% of twins and 41% of triplets are even born ''very preterm'', compared to 1.7% in singletons.<ref name="Alexander-1998" />

Drugs known as betamimetics can be used to relax the muscles of the uterus and delay birth in singleton pregnancies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Neilson |first1=JP |last2=West |first2=HM |last3=Dowswell |first3=T |date=5 February 2014 |title=Betamimetics for inhibiting preterm labour. |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2014 |issue=2 |pages=CD004352 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004352.pub3 |pmc=10603219 |pmid=24500892}}</ref> There is some evidence that these drugs can also reduce the risk of preterm birth for twin pregnancies, but existing studies are small. More data is required before solid conclusions can be drawn.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yamasmit |first1=W |last2=Chaithongwongwatthana |first2=S |last3=Tolosa |first3=JE |last4=Limpongsanurak |first4=S |last5=Pereira |first5=L |last6=Lumbiganon |first6=P |date=8 December 2015 |title=Prophylactic oral betamimetics for reducing preterm birth in women with a twin pregnancy. |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2015 |issue=12 |pages=CD004733 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004733.pub4 |pmc=7386823 |pmid=26645888}}</ref> Likewise, existing studies are too small to determine if a [[Cervical cerclage|cervical suture]] is effective for reducing prematurity in cases of multiple birth.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rafael |first1=TJ |last2=Berghella |first2=V |last3=Alfirevic |first3=Z |date=10 September 2014 |title=Cervical stitch (cerclage) for preventing preterm birth in multiple pregnancy. |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2014 |issue=9 |pages=CD009166 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD009166.pub2 |pmc=10629495 |pmid=25208049 |s2cid=205198527}}</ref>

As a result of [[preterm birth]], multiples tend to have [[lower birth weight]] than singletons. Exceptions are possible, however, as with the Kupresak triplets, born in 2008 in [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], Canada. Their combined weight was 17 lbs, 2.7 oz, which set a world record. Two of the triplets were similar in size and, as expected, moderately low birth weight. The two combined weighed 9 lbs, 2.7 oz. The third triplet, however, was much larger and weighed 8 lbs. individually.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Le |first=Julia |date=26 July 2011 |title=Triplets set world record |url=https://www.mississauga.com/community-story/3118996-triplets-set-world-record/ |access-date=1 September 2021 |work=Mississauga News |location=Mississauga ON}} {{clear}}''Note: Record was not confirmed until July 2011''</ref>