Kawtar Chafik - Research Team on Health and Nutrition of Mother and Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Rabat, Morocco
Fatima Aslaou - Research Team on Health and Nutrition of Mother and Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Rabat, Morocco
Amina Barkat - Research Team on Health and Nutrition of Mother and Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco

Background: The short interpregnancy interval is a frequent clinical situation with adverse fetal, neonatal, and infantile outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the fetal and neonatal consequences of closely spaced pregnancies. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on ۱۶۲ mothers, ۸۱ of whom had an inter-pregnancy interval of fewer than ۱۸ months, and ۸۱ cases had an inter-pregnancy interval of more than ۱۸ months. These participants had given birth at the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat during the last ۱۲ months. The socio-economic data, obstetrical history, as well as fetal and neonatal data, were extracted from medical records via a pre-established questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software (version ۲۰.۰). Results: The mean scores of the inter-pregnancy interval were reported as ۱۱.۸۳±۳.۰۸ and ۲۹.۸۳±۹.۸۳ in the groups of closely spaced pregnancies and inter-pregnancy intervals of more than ۱۸ months (P=۰.۰۳). The number of illiterate women was significantly higher in the group with a short interpregnancy interval, compared to that in the group with an interpregnancy interval over ۱۸ months (۴۶.۹% versus ۹.۹; P<۰.۰۰۱). Almost one-third of women with a short interpregnancy interval had a premature birth. Other adverse fetal outcomes, including low birth weight and respiratory distress, were detected with prevalence rates of ۲۱% (p<۰.۰۰۱) and ۹.۹%, respectively (P=۰.۰۴). Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, it is essential to inform families and mothers about the fact that a reasonable delay (> ۱۸ months)  between pregnancies reduces the risks for both mother and child.    

Close pregnancy, interpregnancy interval, perinatal complications,  Short interpregnancy interval