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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: Data from Matlab, Bangladesh, was used to study the relationship between early fetal wastage or stillbirth and pregnancy spacing. The population under study is characterized by prolonged lactation, minimal nutrition, and high fertility and mortality. A binary regression analysis was used to adjust for certain maternal factors, i.e., pregnancy order, maternal age, history of previous pregnancy and child loss, and outcome of the immediately preceding pregnancy. Adjusted rates showed significantly greater risk of second trimester fetal wastage for pregnancies conceived less than 12 months after the preceding pregnancy termination; the risk relationship was not apparent for 3rd trimester fetal deaths. This is surprising due to increased fetal weight gain and presumed nutrient demand during the third trimester. The greatest risk was among pregnancies conceived less than 12 months following a livebirth, breastfed infant. Among mothers with a history of 2 or more pregnancy losses, the risk of early fetal wastage and stillbirth was increased. Lactation may be a causal factor.
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