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Editorial
Interpregnancy interval and congenital anomalies Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH
I
n this issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr Chen and colleagues1 report interesting findings from Alberta, Canada, which add important insight into our understanding of the causes of birth defects, the leading cause of infant mortality. The study found that both short (0-5 months) and long (24-35 months) interpregnancy intervals (IPIs), measured as the time between the birth of a child and conception of the next child, were associated with an increased occurrence of congenital anomalies. Previous studies from Israel2 and Washington State3 identified a similar association, thus these findings strengthen the evidence supporting an association between IPI and congenital anomalies. Because the cause of many birth defects is elusive, this study fills an important gap in knowledge that will provide immediate opportunities to decrease birth defects and thereby infant mortality. IPI has been studied with regard to a variety of other adverse perinatal outcomes, as well. In a metaanalysis of data from 67 articles published from 1966 through 2006, CondeAgudelo and colleagues4 showed that IPIs 59 months were associated with an increased risk for preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age. Wendt et al5 further showed an increased risk for stillbirth and early neonatal death with IPIs
Editorial
Interpregnancy interval and congenital anomalies Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH
I
n this issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr Chen and colleagues1 report interesting findings from Alberta, Canada, which add important insight into our understanding of the causes of birth defects, the leading cause of infant mortality. The study found that both short (0-5 months) and long (24-35 months) interpregnancy intervals (IPIs), measured as the time between the birth of a child and conception of the next child, were associated with an increased occurrence of congenital anomalies. Previous studies from Israel2 and Washington State3 identified a similar association, thus these findings strengthen the evidence supporting an association between IPI and congenital anomalies. Because the cause of many birth defects is elusive, this study fills an important gap in knowledge that will provide immediate opportunities to decrease birth defects and thereby infant mortality. IPI has been studied with regard to a variety of other adverse perinatal outcomes, as well. In a metaanalysis of data from 67 articles published from 1966 through 2006, CondeAgudelo and colleagues4 showed that IPIs 59 months were associated with an increased risk for preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age. Wendt et al5 further showed an increased risk for stillbirth and early neonatal death with IPIs
