Low birth weight, preterm birth and short interpregnancy interval in Sudan

Abstract

Objective. To investigate whether short interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with increased risk of low birth weight and preterm labour.

Methods. The study was conducted in the labour ward of Khartoum hospital in Sudan during November 2007 through February 2008. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for the confounding factors using multiple logistic regression models.

Results. Compared with IPI of 18–30 months, those women with intervals shorter than 18 months had an increased risk of low birth weight (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0–3.5, P = 0.04) and preterm labour (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1–4.7, P = 0.01).

Conclusion. In this study, IPI shorter than 18 months are independently associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Keywords:

• Low birth weight
• preterm labour
• interpregnancy intervals
• Sudan

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to the entire staff of Khartoum teaching hospital, the women who participated in the study. M. H. P. and L. J. S. have been supported by Care and Public Health Research Institute, University of, Maastricht, The Netherlands.