The Impact of Frequent Reproductive Cycle on Pregnancy Outcome and Maternal Nutritional Status

Abstract

Background: Frequent cycles of reproduction (short interpregnancy interval) have been viewed as a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes, particularly low birth weight which may increase infant mortality.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of long and short reproductive cycle on pregnancy outcome and maternal nutritional status.

Method: A total of eighty-four pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled in the study and were followed up till delivery. Forty-two of these mothers were multiparous (mothers with more than four births) with short reproductive cycle, (interpregnancy interval of less than twenty-one months) were compared with forty-two other mothers with long reproductive cycle (interpregnancy interval of more than twenty-one months). The outcome of the pregnancy, and the nutritional status of the two groups was also compared.

Results: The mean birth weights for the two groups were 3.05 + 0.49 kg and 3.11+ 0.36kg for mothers with 1-2 births and the multiparous mothers, respectively. The mean birth lengths were 48.99 ± 2.91cm and 46.00 + 3.42 cm for mothers with 1-2 births and the multiparous mothers, respectively. Birth lengths were significantly different (p< 0.001) after adjusting for maternal height. The mean head circumference and the gestational age of the index child were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.21). Maternal haemoglobin concentration at 6th month of pregnancy was significantly different (p<0.001) between the two groups. Incidence of stillbirth during the study period was higher in the multiparous women (26.2%) than in the mother with 1-2 births (0%). Maternal height, weight, mid upper arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness at 6 month were significantly different between the two groups. Except for protein intake at 6 month, the macronutrients and micronutrients of the diets of the two groups were basically the same.

Conclusions: Although there was no significant effect of interpregnancy interval on birth weight, infant weight at 1 and 3 months, there was a significant difference between the birth length and infant length at 1 month in infants of mothers with short interpregnancy interval. Maternal haemoglobin concentration at 6 months, maternal weight at 9 months and gestational age were significant determinants of birth weight indicating the importance of maternal nutrition in pregnancy.