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The association between a single interpregnancy interval (IPI) and birth outcomes has not yet been explored using matched methods. We modeled the odds of preterm birth, being small for gestational age, and having low birth weight in a second, live-born infant in a cohort of 192,041 sibling pairs born in Western Australia between 1980 and 2010. The association between IPI and birth outcomes was estimated from the interaction between birth order and IPI (with 18-23 months as the reference category), using conditional logistic regression. Matched analysis showed the odds of preterm birth were higher for siblings born following an IPI of <6 months (adjusted interaction odds ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.38) compared with those born after an IPI of 18-23 months. There were no significant differences for IPIs of <6 months for other outcomes (small for gestational age or low birth weight). This is the first study to use matched analyses to investigate the association between a single IPI on birth outcomes. IPIs of <6 months were associated with increased odds of preterm birth in second-born infants, although the association is likely smaller than previously estimated by unmatched studies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/aje/kwy188

Type

Journal article

Journal

Am J Epidemiol

Publication Date

01/01/2019

Volume

188

Pages

9 - 16

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Birth Intervals, Female, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Logistic Models, Parity, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Premature Birth, Retrospective Studies, Siblings, Socioeconomic Factors, Western Australia, Young Adult