OBJECTIVES: To study risk factors and perinatal outcomes in short interpregnancy intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study, between 1995 and 2001, comparing women with short interpregnancy intervals (<6 months, n = 192) and women controls (interpregnancy intervals between 18 and 23 months, n = 210). The analysis included demographical and social factors, maternal medical histories and perinatal outcomes for the 2(nd) pregnancy. RESULTS: Risk factors of short interpregnancy intervals were: young age, no anterior contraception, celibacy, medical history of intrauterine fetal death or medical pregnancy termination and high parity and gestity. The patients at risks of short interpregnancy intervals often belong to little supported social background, are generally without profession and often leave against medical opinion. The short interval between pregnancies is associated to a high score of prematurity (19% vs 8%, OR = 2.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that obstetricians and other care providers need to be alert to these identifiable risk factors and then direct preventive strategies during and after pregnancy.
OBJECTIVES: To study risk factors and perinatal outcomes in short interpregnancy intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study, between 1995 and 2001, comparing women with short interpregnancy intervals (<6 months, n = 192) and women controls (interpregnancy intervals between 18 and 23 months, n = 210). The analysis included demographical and social factors, maternal medical histories and perinatal outcomes for the 2(nd) pregnancy. RESULTS: Risk factors of short interpregnancy intervals were: young age, no anterior contraception, celibacy, medical history of intrauterine fetal death or medical pregnancy termination and high parity and gestity. The patients at risks of short interpregnancy intervals often belong to little supported social background, are generally without profession and often leave against medical opinion. The short interval between pregnancies is associated to a high score of prematurity (19% vs 8%, OR = 2.8, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that obstetricians and other care providers need to be alert to these identifiable risk factors and then direct preventive strategies during and after pregnancy.