ASSOCIATION OF SHORT INTER-PREGNANCY INTERVAL WITH ADVERSE PERINATAL OUTCOME
Abstract
Background: The time interval in between pregnancies is viewed as an important and modifiable risk factor for adverse birth outcome. Short interpregnancy interval is associated with a number of adverse outcome for both mother and child, including increased risk of preterm labour, low birth weight baby, and preeclampsia .
Objective: To determine the association between adverse perinatal outcome and short inter-pregnancy interval in women presenting in labour
Material and Methods: This cohort study was conducted at department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, unit 1, Lahore General Hospital Lahore for 6 months (from July 12, 2015 to Jan 12, 2016). It was non-probability purposive sampling. Informed consent was obtained. Demographics were noted. Then females were divided into 2 groups, 160 patients in each group, group I with short inter-pregnancy interval (<18 months) and group II with normal interpregnancy interval(≥18 months).Then antenatal record was assessed to measure the gestational age at time of delivery and preterm delivery was labeled if female delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation. After delivery, baby was assessed for low birth weight i.e<2.5kg. All collected data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 17.0. Relative Risk was calculated to measure the association between short inter-pregnancy interval and adverse perinatal outcome. RR>1 was considered as significant risk.
Results: In my study the mean age of the patients was 29.23±6.24 years and the mean gestational age of the patients was 38.47±2.38 weeks.In this study the preterm deliveries were observed in 67 cases (20.9%) in which 46 (68%) were from short IPI group and 21 (31.3%) were from normal IPI group. Statistically a significant risk of preterm delivery was noted in short IPI group as compared to normal IPI group. i.e RR=2.67. In my study the LBW babies were observed in 46 cases in which all the 46 (100%) were from short IPI group. Statistically a significant risk of LBW babies was noted in short IPI group as compared to normal IPI i.e. RR=2.404.
Conclusion: There has been statistically significant risk of adverse perinatal outcome (preterm birth and LBW) in patients with short IPI as compared to patients with normal interpregnancy interval.
