Science / Medicine : Study Warns of Birth Intervals

Millions of infant deaths could be prevented if women in developing nations were able to increase the length of time between having babies, according to a study.

“Birth intervals of less than two years are strongly and consistently associated with higher mortality,” reported the analysis by the Population Crisis Committee.

When there is less than two years between births, the risk of the second child dying in infancy is increased by between 60% and 70%, the study said. And it doubles the chance of the earlier child dying by age 5.

Pregnancy and nursing make major nutritional demands on the mother. If a new pregnancy follows without enough time to recover, the chances are increased that the second child will be premature and underweight, the report states.