Twin Births and Neonatal Mortality in India: Trend and Patterns, 1992-2016

William Joe , Institute of Economic Growth

Increasing use of assisted reproductive technology and rise in maternal age has led to an increase in number of twin pregnancies worldwide. Compared to singletons, twins experience a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Against this backdrop, the paper aims a) to understand the trends, share burden and patterns in mortality among twins as well as singletons over the period 1992-93 to 2015-16 and b) to analyse socioeconomic inequalities in mortality among twins and singletons. The study is based on National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of India conducted during 1992-93, 1998-99, 2005-06 and 2015-16, respectively. The proportion of twin births to total live births has increased from 1.44 percent in 1992-93 to 1.63 percent in 2015-16. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) among singletons declined from 44.1 per 1000 live births (95 % CI: 42-46.1) in 1992-93 to 27.2 per 1000 live births (95 % CI: 26.3-28.1) in 2015-16. Among twins, the NMR declined from 332.5 per 1000 live births (95% CI: 292-373.1) to 156.5 per 1000 live births (95% CI: 142-171) over the same period. Econometric analysis finds that the odds of child surviving beyond 28 days are lower for poorer households. The chances of survival of the second of the twins is also very low. Neonates belonging to higher quintiles and educated mothers have higher chances of surviving. The odds of survival of male child are less as compared to females. Also, the chances of survival are less in case C-section is not performed for delivery.

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 Presented in Session P2. Poster Session Ageing, Health and Mortality