Secular Trends of Birth Weight in Twins and Singletons in South Korea from 2000 to 2020.

Abstract

Whether the decline of birth weight (BW) reported in developed countries in the early 2000s is ongoing remains unknown. Furthermore, despite recent sharp increases in twin births, comparing secular trends of BW between singletons and twins is difficult, as studies have rarely examined secular trends of BW in twins and singletons simultaneously. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the most recent 20-year trends (2000-2020) of BW in twins and singletons in South Korea. Annual natality files from 2000 to 2020 obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service were analyzed. A yearly decrease of BW was 3 g among singletons and 5 to 6 g in twins from 2000 to 2020, indicating a widening gap of BW between twins and singletons with increasing years. Gestational age (GA) also decreased in twins and singletons with yearly decreases of 0.28 days in singletons and 0.41 days in twins. Whereas BW decreased in term (GA ≥ 37 weeks), and very preterm groups (28 weeks ≤ GA < 32 weeks) from 2000 to 2020 in twins and singletons, it increased in moderate to late preterm (32 weeks ≤ GA < 37 weeks) groups, indicating a non-linear relationship between BW and GA. The prevalence of macrosomia (BW > 4000 g) in singletons decreased from 2000 to 2020, whereas low birth weight (LBW; BW < 2500 g) increased in twins and singletons. LBW is associated with adverse health outcomes. Effective public health strategies aiming at reduction in the incidence of LBW in the population should be developed.