QuickStats: Rate of Triplet and Higher-Order Multiple Births by Age of Mother — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 1998 and 2022

The triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate declined from an all-time high of 193.5 per 100,000 total births in 1998 to 78.9 in 2022.

From 1998 to 2022, triplet and higher-order birth rates increased among mothers aged <20 years (from 17.6 to 27.5) but declined among mothers aged ≥20 years.

In both 1998 and 2022, triplet and higher-order multiple birth rates were lowest among mothers aged <20 years and highest among mothers aged ≥40 years (517.6 in 1998 and 179.0 in 2022) but differences across the age groups narrowed from 1998 to 2022.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Natality Data, 1998 and 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/births.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm725253a6.htm