Abstract

Background: Obstetricians are usually questioned regarding the ideal interpregnancy interval (IPI). Short IPI is reported to be highly correlated with adverse maternal and perinatal consequences, including severe morbidity & mortality. While, long IPI is correlated with high risk of preeclampsia and labor dystocia.

Aim: To determine the frequency of short inter-pregnancy interval in multiparous females of our population and to compare the frequency of preterm birth in females with and without short inter-pregnancy interval.

Methods: This Descriptive Case Series was done at Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore from January 2016 to June 2016. Total 285 patients fulfilling the selection criteria were recruited and were assessed for IPI. Females with short IPI (<6 months) were identified and two groups were formed i.e. females with short and normal IPI. Then females were followed-up till delivery.

Results: Mean age of women was 30.15±5.72 years. There were 92(32.3%) women whose IPI was short (<6 months) and the remaining 193(67.7%) women’s IPI was normal (>6 Months). 20% of patients delivered before 37 weeks of gestation (57/285). It was observed that women who had short IPI delivered preterm at a rate which was higher as compared to the women who had normal IPI i.e. Preterm Birth: Short IPI: 44.6% vs. Normal IPI: 8.3% (p-value=0.000).

Conclusion: As per findings of this study mothers with short inter-pregnancy interval had increased risk for preterm birth.

Keywords: Multiparous females, Short inter-pregnancy interval, Preterm birth