Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis

Abstract Introduction The association between extreme birth spacing and adverse outcomes is controversial, and available evidence is fragmented into different classifications of birth spacing. Material and methods We conducted a systematic review of observational studies to evaluate the association...

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Main Authors: Wanze Ni, Xuping Gao, Xin Su, Jun Cai, Shiwen Zhang, Lu Zheng, Jiazi Liu, Yonghui Feng, Shiyun Chen, Junrong Ma, Wenting Cao, Fangfang Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-12-01
Series:Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14648
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author Wanze Ni
Xuping Gao
Xin Su
Jun Cai
Shiwen Zhang
Lu Zheng
Jiazi Liu
Yonghui Feng
Shiyun Chen
Junrong Ma
Wenting Cao
Fangfang Zeng
author_facet Wanze Ni
Xuping Gao
Xin Su
Jun Cai
Shiwen Zhang
Lu Zheng
Jiazi Liu
Yonghui Feng
Shiyun Chen
Junrong Ma
Wenting Cao
Fangfang Zeng
author_sort Wanze Ni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction The association between extreme birth spacing and adverse outcomes is controversial, and available evidence is fragmented into different classifications of birth spacing. Material and methods We conducted a systematic review of observational studies to evaluate the association between birth spacing (i.e., interpregnancy interval and interoutcome interval) and adverse outcomes (i.e., pregnancy complications, adverse birth outcomes). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random‐effects model, and the dose–response relationships were evaluated using generalized least squares trend estimation. Results A total of 129 studies involving 46 874 843 pregnancies were included. In the general population, compared with an interpregnancy interval of 18–23 months, extreme intervals (<6 months and ≥ 60 months) were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birthweight, fetal death, birth defects, early neonatal death, and premature rupture of fetal membranes (pooled OR range: 1.08–1.56; p < 0.05). The dose–response analyses further confirmed these J‐shaped relationships (pnon‐linear < 0.001–0.009). Long interpregnancy interval was only associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes (pnon‐linear < 0.005 and pnon‐linear < 0.001, respectively). Similar associations were observed between interoutcome interval and risk of low birthweight and preterm birth (pnon‐linear < 0.001). Moreover, interoutcome interval of ≥60 months was associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery (pooled OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.04–2.83). For pregnancies following preterm births, an interpregnancy interval of 9 months was not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, according to dose–response analyses (pnon‐linear = 0.008). Based on limited evidence, we did not observe significant associations between interpregnancy interval or interoutcome interval after pregnancy losses and risk of small for gestational age, fetal death, miscarriage, or preeclampsia (pooled OR range: 0.76–1.21; p > 0.05). Conclusions Extreme birth spacing has extensive adverse effects on maternal and infant health. In the general population, interpregnancy interval of 18–23 months may be associated with potential benefits for both mothers and infants. For women with previous preterm birth, the optimal birth spacing may be 9 months.
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spelling doaj-art-1a687c05d0ff4cb9aa9ccf34ba7ef5412025-08-20T03:22:18ZengWileyActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica0001-63491600-04122023-12-01102121618163310.1111/aogs.14648Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysisWanze Ni0Xuping Gao1Xin Su2Jun Cai3Shiwen Zhang4Lu Zheng5Jiazi Liu6Yonghui Feng7Shiyun Chen8Junrong Ma9Wenting Cao10Fangfang Zeng11Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaDepartment of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology, International School of Public Health and One Health Hainan Medical University Haikou Hainan ChinaDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine Jinan University Guangzhou Guangdong ChinaAbstract Introduction The association between extreme birth spacing and adverse outcomes is controversial, and available evidence is fragmented into different classifications of birth spacing. Material and methods We conducted a systematic review of observational studies to evaluate the association between birth spacing (i.e., interpregnancy interval and interoutcome interval) and adverse outcomes (i.e., pregnancy complications, adverse birth outcomes). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random‐effects model, and the dose–response relationships were evaluated using generalized least squares trend estimation. Results A total of 129 studies involving 46 874 843 pregnancies were included. In the general population, compared with an interpregnancy interval of 18–23 months, extreme intervals (<6 months and ≥ 60 months) were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birthweight, fetal death, birth defects, early neonatal death, and premature rupture of fetal membranes (pooled OR range: 1.08–1.56; p < 0.05). The dose–response analyses further confirmed these J‐shaped relationships (pnon‐linear < 0.001–0.009). Long interpregnancy interval was only associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes (pnon‐linear < 0.005 and pnon‐linear < 0.001, respectively). Similar associations were observed between interoutcome interval and risk of low birthweight and preterm birth (pnon‐linear < 0.001). Moreover, interoutcome interval of ≥60 months was associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery (pooled OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.04–2.83). For pregnancies following preterm births, an interpregnancy interval of 9 months was not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, according to dose–response analyses (pnon‐linear = 0.008). Based on limited evidence, we did not observe significant associations between interpregnancy interval or interoutcome interval after pregnancy losses and risk of small for gestational age, fetal death, miscarriage, or preeclampsia (pooled OR range: 0.76–1.21; p > 0.05). Conclusions Extreme birth spacing has extensive adverse effects on maternal and infant health. In the general population, interpregnancy interval of 18–23 months may be associated with potential benefits for both mothers and infants. For women with previous preterm birth, the optimal birth spacing may be 9 months.https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14648adverse pregnancy outcomeadverse birth outcomebirth intervalinteroutcome intervalinterpregnancy interval
spellingShingle Wanze Ni
Xuping Gao
Xin Su
Jun Cai
Shiwen Zhang
Lu Zheng
Jiazi Liu
Yonghui Feng
Shiyun Chen
Junrong Ma
Wenting Cao
Fangfang Zeng
Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
adverse pregnancy outcome
adverse birth outcome
birth interval
interoutcome interval
interpregnancy interval
title Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
title_full Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
title_fullStr Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
title_full_unstemmed Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
title_short Birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
title_sort birth spacing and risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes a systematic review and dose response meta analysis
topic adverse pregnancy outcome
adverse birth outcome
birth interval
interoutcome interval
interpregnancy interval
url https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14648
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