Chapter 42, Problem 2DAA

Summary Introduction

To explain: Heart defects are the most common type of birth defects, in the single-birth group and are more or less common in the multiple birth groups than among the single birth.

Concept introduction: During the gestation period, the mother can have a single birth or multiple births. A single birth is one in which only one fetus is carried during the gestation period in the womb. A multiple birth is one in which more than one fetus is carried during the gestation period such as twins, triplets, quadruplets, and so on. Carrying more than one fetus in the womb results in the insufficient supply of nutrients to the developing fetus. These fetuses become stillborn or born with abnormalities.