Background: Short birth intervals (SBIs) and long birth intervals (LBIs) have been shown to have serious implications for health of both mothers and their children. This study was aimed to investigate the determinants and reproductive outcome of SBI and LBI in a multiethnic Pakistani population.
Methods: In a cross-sectional prospective study design, 2798 women admitted in a tertiary-care hospital in Islamabad for delivery were recruited and data on second or higher birth order deliveries were collected. Birth intervals were defined as short (<24 months) and long (>36 months). The reproductive outcome was defined in terms of perinatal and neonatal mortalities, and neonatal complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.
Results: Pregnancies with SBI and LBI were observed in 20% and 24% of 2798 women, respectively. Women with SBI had increased odds of perinatal death [adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 1.50] and neonatal death (AOR: 1.47) as compared to women with optimal birth intervals, while women with LBI had slightly lower odds of perinatal deaths (AOR: 0.96), but increased odds of neonatal deaths (AOR: 1.12). Further, the pregnancies with both SBI and LBI were associated with increased odds of short body length, low birth weight, small head circumference and low APGAR score.
Conclusion: Nearly half of all pregnancies do not have optimal birth spacing albeit there is wide heterogeneity in the distribution of BI in various Pakistani ethnicities. Pregnancies with SBI and LBI had high risk of adverse reproductive outcome. Intervention programs for maternal and child health need to emphasize optimal birth spacing.
Keywords: APGAR score; birth spacing; birth weight; infant mortality; perinatal mortality; small head circumference.
Birth interval (BI) or interpregnancy interval is the length of time between a birth and conception of the next pregnancy. Short birth intervals (SBIs) as well as long birth intervals (LBIs) have been shown to have serious implications for health of both mothers and their children. WHO recommendation for optimal spacing between 3 and 5 years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of SBI and LBI on pregnancy outcome in the Pakistani population. A total of 2798 pregnant women admitted in a tertiary-care hospital in Islamabad for delivery were recruited and data on BI and pregnancy outcomes, i.e. perinatal and neonatal mortalities, and neonatal complications, were obtained. Results revealed that pregnancies with SBI and LBI were 20% and 24% of the total pregnancies, respectively. Women with SBI had higher likelihood of perinatal and neonatal death as compared to women with optimal birth intervals. Similarly, the women with LBI had higher likelihood of neonatal deaths. Furthermore, the pregnancies with both SBI and LBI were associated neonatal complications like short body length, low birth weight, small head circumference and low APGAR score. In conclusion, nearly half of all pregnancies do not have optimal birth spacing. Intervention programs for maternal and child health need to emphasize optimal birth spacing.
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