Researchers for two previous studies also have reported on the link between the
interpregnancy interval after stillbirth and birth outcomes in the next pregnancy, but neither was specifically designed to evaluate that outcome, they added.
Interpregnancy interval and risk of premature infants.
To examine whether the variance in the PFAA concentrations might be explained by differences in the
interpregnancy interval, we estimated unadjusted Spearman's correlations between PFAA concentrations and the
interpregnancy interval.
A wide literature has shown the adverse outcomes of both short (less than two years) and long (more than five years)
interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) for the next pregnancy, yet few studies have addressed the effect of IPIs on maternal morbidity.
KEY WORDS: Birth weight,
interpregnancy interval, biosocial determinant, pregnancy
Two studies (6,7) have reported an increased risk of autism * associated with short
interpregnancy intervals (IPIs, defined as the length of time between the end of one pregnancy and the beginning of subsequent gestation).
In addition, short
interpregnancy intervals can lead to negative consequences such as low birth weight and preterm birth (4).
Unadjusted odds ratios were computed to assess relationships between a second infant's low birth weight or preterm birth and maternal demographic characteristics (race, ethnicity and age), socioeconomic characteristics (median household income of census block group, paternity or marital status * and completed education), and pregnancy and behavioral characteristics (prenatal weight gain, previous adverse birth outcome, smoking during pregnancy, prenatal care utilization and
interpregnancy interval).
Recommendations regarding the length of the
interpregnancy interval generally should not be affected by a history of prior infertility.
"This finding may be reassuring, particularly for older women who must weigh the competing risks of increasing maternal age with longer
interpregnancy intervals (including infertility and chromosomal anomalies) against the risks of short
interpregnancy intervals."
The possible reasons for this finding include successive deliveries with reduced
interpregnancy interval for stores replenishment and deterioration of general health of the patient, also lack of interest in own health, poor socioeconomic status with increased economic burden due to increase in the number of children adds to the condition.
There is one clinical variable that could account for this apparent contradiction--the
interpregnancy interval. It is well known that a short interval ( < 6 months) is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PTB.
