Birth interval and risk of stillbirth or neonatal death: findings from rural north India.
Short birth intervals have been associated with adverse birth outcomes. This study examines the association between preceding interval and risk of stillbirth or neonatal death in rural north India (n = 80 164). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of stillbirth and neonatal mortality were calculated. The odds of stillbirth were significantly greater among birth intervals of <18 months (OR 3.10; CI: 2.69-3.57), 18-35 months (OR 1.47; CI 1.30-1.68) and >59 months (OR 1.44; CI 1.19-1.73), compared with intervals of 36-59 months. Neonatal death was associated with birth intervals of <18 months (OR 4.12; CI 3.74-4.55) and 18-35 months (OR 1.78; CI 1.63-1.94), compared to births spaced 36-59 months. Previous history of either stillbirth or neonatal death was significantly associated with risk of stillbirth and neonatal death, respectively, as were multiple births.
Williams
Emma K
EK
Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. emwillia@jhsph.edu
Hossain
Mian B
MB
Sharma
Ravendra K
RK
Kumar
Vishwajeet
V
Pandey
Chandra M
CM
Baqui
Abdullah H
AH
D000328:Adult; D001721:Birth Intervals; D001722:Birth Order; D002423:Cause of Death; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*