Evaluation of the Relationship between Low Birth Weight and Inter-Pregnancy Interval

Abstract

Inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) is defined as the period between delivery of the previous infant and conception of the current pregnancy. This definition excludes miscarriage as a preceding pregnancy event. Both short and long intervals between pregnancies have been associated with increased risk of a number of adverse perinatal outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, and perinatal death. Birth spacing has become a major health promotion program strategy for mothers and children in recent decades in developing countries. The interpregnancy interval (IPI) has been reported to influence the outcome of pregnancy and birth. The relationship between the interpregnancy interval and perinatal health is receiving increasing attention. Perinatal mortality is an indicator of poor obstetric care. Women who become pregnant soon after completing a pregnancy are considered to be at high risk for the delivery of a low birth weight (LBW, <2500 gram) infant. Birth weight is the first weight of the fetus or newborn obtained after birth. For live births, birth weight should preferably be measured within the first hour of life, before significant postnatal weight loss has occurred. Globally birth weight has been accepted as single most important determinant of future chances of survival, healthy growth, freedom from morbidities and mortalities of infants. Low birth weight is a widely used indicator of new-born health. Low birth weight is defined as less than 2,500 g (up to and including 2,499 g). This study was held at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital on 2000 patients ranging between the ages of 18-47 years, and IPI ranging from 1-231 months. Results showed that the incidence of LBW among patients with IPI >18months was 16.2%, which was more than doubled, reaching 39.5%, among those with IPI <18months. It was also found that the incidence of a short IPI decreases with age, being more common among the younger age group. Parity, however, had no significant correlation with IPI except Para1 which had a significantly higher incidence of short IPIs. Maternal age also showed a small difference between patients with short and long IPIs with patients being generally younger in the short IPI group.