• Callistus Elegbua, Hadijat Raji, Sikiru Biliaminu, Grace Ezeoke, and Abiodun Adeniran.
• Save a Life Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
• Afr Health Sci. 2023 Mar 1; 23 (1): 326337326-337.

BackgroundAvailable information remains limited on inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) and its effect on maternal health and pregnancy outcome.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of IPI on maternal serum ferritin, haematocrit and pregnancy outcome.Materials And MethodsA prospective cohort study of 316 women categorized into WHO recommended IPI of ≥24 months (group I) and IPI <24 months i.e. short IPI (SIPI) as group II after matching for gestational age and social status. Serum ferritin and haematocrit levels were assayed in first and second trimesters; primary outcome measures were maternal serum ferritin, haematocrit and pregnancy outcome gestational age at delivery, birth and placental weights, APGAR scores and neonatal intensive admission). Participants were followed up until six-week post-delivery. Data analysis was with SPSS version 21.0; p<0.05 was significant.ResultsWomen in group I had higher mean serum ferritin (37.40±3.15 vs. 32.61±2.68; P<0.001), booking haematocrit (33.24±3.59 vs. 27.92±2.67; P<0.001) and mean birth weight (3100±310 vs. 2700±350; P<0.001). Antenatal hospital admission (P0.002), preterm delivery (P<0.001) and neonatal intensive care admission (P<0.001) were higher for group II. There was no maternal mortality; perinatal mortality was zero (group I) and 95/1000 livebirth (group II).ConclusionLow serum ferritin, haematocrit and adverse neonatal outcomes were associated with SIPI.© 2023 Elegbua C et al.

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