Healthy Child Programme: final report
7.2. Multiple Births
The expert reference group were asked how to address the recording of identical siblings in the case of multiple births. It can be difficult to identify identical siblings at the time of birth. It was suggested that in many cases the membranes would be checked or genetic testing would be carried out. The expert reference group agreed that it is something parents would want to know, the data is useful for research and there are also important clinical implications. Parents could also publish the information via the PCHR. The consensus was for this heading to be added to the ‘birth details’ section and implementation guidance should explain about how testing would determine whether siblings are identical or not.
Page last updated: 27 March 2026