The effect of short pregnancy interval on perinatal outcomes in Turkey: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of short pregnancy interval on perinatal outcomes. METHODS: The research was a retrospective study. The material consisted of birth records of a state hospital for the last three years in Manisa in the western region of Turkey (2015-2017) (n:8961). The research population included women whose gestational interval was ≤two years and the gestational week was over 22 weeks (n:2089). Perinatal outcomes were assessed through preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight. RESULTS: The mean age of women who are in the research group is 26.7 ± 5.32. According to the perinatal results of women with a pregnancy interval of two years and shorter; 8.2% of women had birth before 37 weeks and 0.3% resulted in stillbirth. It was determined that 4.8% of infants were born with low birth weight. There was no difference between the short pregnancy interval and stillbirth or preterm birth. However, a significant difference was found between the low birth weight and short pregnancy interval. (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy interval does not affect preterm birth and stillbirth from perinatal outcomes, but has a significant effect on the birth weight of the newborn.