A Vancouver woman gave birth this past weekend to sextuplets. The family is keeping a low profile, but apparently the babies were born at 25 weeks gestation and each one was no more than 2 pounds. The first one was born vaginally, and the rest by emergency C-Section. (LINK)
Although the hospital says that everyone is doing well, a recent study has shown that 61% of infants born at less than 30 weeks gestation had one or more disabilities at 5.5 years (corrected age). (LINK) Another study showed that at 30 months, 49% of infants born before 25 weeks gestation had had disability.
Engl J Med. 2000 Aug 10;343(6):429-30). Neither of these studies take learning disability into account.
Remember that at 25 weeks gestation, the chance of survival is 80%.
Multiple births are becoming more prevalent due to increased use of fertility drugs and procedures. In a situation like this, parents are often encouraged to "selectively reduce" some of the embryos. In this case, the pregnancy appears to have been unassisted and the parents are Jehovah's Witnesses. This would explain why there was no reduction and why the attempt to deliver vaginally was made. (LINK)
The Philosopher Family wishes the family all the best in the coming weeks and months, and we hope for the best possible outcome for Mom and the six(!) kids.
Although the hospital says that everyone is doing well, a recent study has shown that 61% of infants born at less than 30 weeks gestation had one or more disabilities at 5.5 years (corrected age). (LINK) Another study showed that at 30 months, 49% of infants born before 25 weeks gestation had had disability.
Engl J Med. 2000 Aug 10;343(6):429-30). Neither of these studies take learning disability into account.
Remember that at 25 weeks gestation, the chance of survival is 80%.
Multiple births are becoming more prevalent due to increased use of fertility drugs and procedures. In a situation like this, parents are often encouraged to "selectively reduce" some of the embryos. In this case, the pregnancy appears to have been unassisted and the parents are Jehovah's Witnesses. This would explain why there was no reduction and why the attempt to deliver vaginally was made. (LINK)
The Philosopher Family wishes the family all the best in the coming weeks and months, and we hope for the best possible outcome for Mom and the six(!) kids.
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