Early childhood survivorship related to the subsequent interpregnancy interval and outcome of the subsequent pregnancy.

Abstract

Childhood mortality is significantly higher among children whose birth is followed by another pregnancy in less than 12 months compared to children whose birth is followed by another pregnancy in greater than 12 months. This observation is true both when the second pregnancy of the interval results in a live or a non-live birth. Among children followed by intervals less than 12 months there are no significant differences between those followed by another another live birth or a non-live birth. These results suggest that the shorter intervals are associated with a lower survivorship of the older child; however the period of competition from the second closely spaced pregnancy does not appear to have a significant effect on the survivorship of the older child. (authors)