Effect of the interval between pregnancies on perinatal outcomes among white and black women

Objective: We evaluated interpregnancy interval in relation to adverse perinatal outcomes and whether the relationship differed by race. Study Design: We analyzed the vital statistics data for multiparous white and black women in Michigan who delivered a singleton live birth during the period 1993 through 1998, using stratified and logistic regression techniques. Results: Among women of both races, the risk for delivering low birth weight, premature, and small-for-gestational-age birth was lowest if the interpregnancy interval was 18 to 23 months. In comparison, among white women, the odds ratios for the 3 outcomes were 1.5, 1.3, and 1.3, respectively, if the interval was