Risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with short and long birth intervals in Bangladesh: evidence from six Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys, 1996–2014

Objective To examine the effect of short ( Design, setting and participants We analysed data from six Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (1996–1997, 1999–2000, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014). We included all singleton non-first live births, most recently born to mothers within 5 years preceding each survey (n=21 382). We defined birth interval according to previous research which suggests that a birth interval between 36 and 59 months is the most ideal interval. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to obtain the crude and adjusted ORs (aOR) respectively to assess the odds of first-day neonatal death, early neonatal death and small birth size for both short ( Main outcome measures First-day neonatal death, early neonatal death and small birth size. Results In the multivariable analysis, compared with births spaced 36–59 months, infants with a birth interval of Conclusions Birth intervals shorter than 36 months and longer than 59 months are associated with increased odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Care-providers, programme managers and policymakers could focus on promoting an optimal birth interval between 36 and 59 months in postpartum family planning.