LAUSR

PCI is undetermined. Numerous studies have demonstrated that abnormal PCI can result in adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. A short inter-pregnancy time interval between the birth of one child and the conception of the next child has also been shown to result in subsequent adverse outcomes. This study was designed to determine the association between short inter-pregnancy interval and abnormal PCI. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective case-control study of pregnancies between 03-26-2009 to 08-01-2016, the inter-pregnancy time interval preceding delivery was calculated for women with abnormal PCI e both marginal (n1⁄449) and velamentous cord insertions (n1⁄457), as determined at pathology exam of the placenta. Interpregnancy interval was likewise calculated for control multiparous women with normal PCI (n1⁄457). The proportion of pregnancies preceded by a shortened inter-pregnancy interval of 6 months or less was compared between the three groups and analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: The proportion of pregnancies preceded by a shortened inter-pregnancy interval of 6 months or less was significantly different (p1⁄40.047) in patients with velamentous cord insertion compared with patients in the control group with normal placental cord insertions. No difference in this proportion was found between normal PCI and marginal cord insertion (P1⁄40.557). CONCLUSION: These findings may suggest an etiologic relationship, but more importantly, the findings emphasize the importance of providing patient counseling regarding the spacing of pregnancies to avoid adverse outcomes resulting from abnormal placental cord insertion, and provide further justification for enhancing access to inter-pregnancy healthcare education, family planning and reproductive health services.