title: Impact of interpregnancy interval on the subsequent risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of interpregnancy interval as a risk factor on multiple adverse perinatal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interpregnancy intervals and confounding factors were determined for healthy pregnancies (controls [n = 357]) and for pregnancies complicated by adverse perinatal outcomes. Interpregnancy interval was categorized as <6, 6-11, 12-17, 18-23, 24-35 and ≥36 months. Adverse outcomes included spontaneous labor leading to preterm birth (n = 265), preterm premature rupture of membranes (n = 245), pre-eclampsia (n = 286), gestational diabetes (n = 302), abnormal placentation (n = 154), anemia (n = 314), congenital anomalies (n = 459), post-partum hemorrhage (n = 326) and small for gestational age (n = 168). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of each outcome with the interpregnancy interval categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spontaneous labor leading to preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.97), preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.28-2.39), congenital anomalies (OR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.09-1.76) and small for gestational age (OR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.14-2.34) were significantly associated with intervals of <6 months. Among congenital anomalies, short interpregnancy interval represents an increased risk for cardiac defects (OR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.09-5.46), neural tube defects (OR, 2.06; 95%CI, 1.32-7.64) and central nervous system anomalies (OR, 1.45; 95%CI, 1.12-3.65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short interpregnancy interval is an independent risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Atalay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekin
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cenk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gezer
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cuneyt Eftal
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Taner
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozeren
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mat
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ulas
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Solmaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: congenital anomaly; interpregnancy interval; preterm premature rupture of membranes; small for gestational age; spontaneous preterm birth