Posted on March 23, 2004 at 5:05 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Naturally conceived quadruplets born March 17 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital (UAB Hospital) appear to be identical based on placental examination and blood testing — a one-in-eight-million “amazingly rare event,” according to the doctor who delivered the babies.

Dr. John Hauth, chair of the department of obstetrics-gynecology, said that evaluation of the placenta and results of an Rh antigen panel of the quadruplets’ blood provides “at least a 99 percent confirmation they are identical.”

The babies, delivered by Cesarean birth, were of 30 weeks gestation and were from 2 lbs. 3.25 oz. To 2 lbs. 4.5 oz. They were never on ventilators and are breathing room air at this point. They are listed in Good condition. Their parents are Kevin and Christine Webb, who live in the northwest Alabama town of Guin.

The fact that Mrs. Webb carried the babies a full 30 weeks increased their chances of being born healthy, Hauth said. The length of gestation “increases the rarity of this situation to one in eight-to-12 million.” The chances of producing naturally conceived quadruplets are one in one million, he said.