Twinning in one area of New Britain

Abstract

A high incidence of multiple births has been reported in an area of New Britain where there is no evidence that birth control is practised. Analysis failed to confirm Edwards' observation that the average size of the sibship after birth of twins varies with the sex of the twins. Repeated twinning occurred in 14% of women who had given birth to twins. No significant differences were found in birth intervals before and after twins but mothers of twins were more fertile, judged by the total number of pregnancies, than comparable women without twins. Mortality was greater among the twins than among the singletons and was greater among females than among males. The development of health services in the area has reduced mortality significantly.