Publication:

Interpregnancy interval raise odds of adverse perinatal outcome in high fertility region Mewat, Haryana

Background Objective of current study was to study association between various interpregnancy intervals and adverse perinatal outcome (preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age) and to come out with optimum interpregnancy interval.

Methods Retrospective cross sectional study in which 400 meo women (para 2 to para 5) fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria having diverse interpregnancy intervals were selected. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of adverse perinatal outcome.

Results As compared with infants conceived within a time period of16 to 48 months after a live birth, infants conceived within16 months after a live birth had odds ratios of 2.1 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.5) for low birth weight, 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.8) for preterm birth,and 2.3 (95% CI 1.4 to 3.8) for smallsize for gestational age; infants conceived more than 48 months after a live birth had odds ratios of 1.88 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.1), 1.96 (95% CI1.1 to 3.4), and 2.08 (95% CI 1.2 to3.6) for these three adverse outcomes, respectively; P value <0.05.

Conclusions We came to conclusion that interpregnancy interval of 16 - 48 months is the optimal interval carrying least risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and both short as well as long interpregnancy intervals are significantly associated with birth of preterm, low birth weight and small for gestational age babies. Counselling regarding optimal interpregnancy interval and methods of contraception can go a long way in reducing adverse perinatal outcome.