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. 2023 Mar 29;12(7):2576.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12072576.

Short Interpregnancy Interval Following a Multifetal Pregnancy: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Ari Weiss  1 , Hen Y Sela  1 , Sorina Grisaru-Granovsky  1 , Misgav Rottenstreich  1   2
Affiliations

Short Interpregnancy Interval Following a Multifetal Pregnancy: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Ari Weiss et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with short interpregnancy intervals (IPI < 6 months) following a multifetal pregnancy.

Study design: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of women with an index multifetal delivery and a subsequent singleton gestation between 2005 and 2021. The obstetrical outcomes of pregnancies following short IPI (<6 months) were compared to those with an IPI of 18-48 months. Additional analyses were also conducted for the other IPI groups: 7-17 months, and longer than 49 months, while women with an IPI of 18-48 months served as the reference group. The primary outcome was preterm birth (<37 weeks) rate. Secondary outcomes were other adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: Overall, 2514 women had a primary multifetal delivery with a subsequent singleton gestation at our medical centers; 160 (6.4%) had a short IPI, and 1142 (45.4%) had an optimal IPI. Women with a singleton gestation following a short IPI were younger, with lower rates of previous cesarean and fertility treatments. Women in the short IPI group had significantly higher rates of preterm birth <37 weeks, anemia (Hb < 11 gr%) on admission to the delivery room, and placental abruption. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that short IPI is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth (aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.12-5.11, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Short IPI following a multifetal gestation is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth in subsequent singleton pregnancy.

Keywords: interpregnancy interval; pregnancy outcome; preterm delivery; twin pregnancies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the study cohort.
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