In this issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr Chen and colleagues1 report interesting findings from Alberta, Canada, which add important insight into our understanding of the causes of birth defects, the leading cause of infant mortality. The study found that both short (0-5 months) and long (24-35 months) interpregnancy intervals (IPIs), measured as the time between the birth of a child and conception of the next child, were associated with an increased occurrence of congenital anomalies. Previous studies from Israel2 and Washington State3 identified a similar association, thus these findings strengthen the evidence supporting an association between IPI and congenital anomalies. Because the cause of many birth defects is elusive, this study fills an important gap in knowledge that will provide immediate opportunities to decrease birth defects and thereby infant mortality.
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