Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40022000›Full record

SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

The association between interpregnancy intervals and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xueheng Wen, Weilun Liang, Jinguo Zhai, Yunxia Wang, Pingping Zheng, Shiying Wang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewNetwork Meta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. FIGO good practice recommendations on preconception care: A strategy to prevent preterm birth.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2025
    Guideline
  2. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xueheng Wen *School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
Weilun Liang *Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Futian District Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518045, China.
Jinguo ZhaiSchool of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, 510515, Guangdong Province, China. helenjxzhai@gmail.com.
Yunxia WangDepartment of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Futian District Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518045, China.
Pingping ZhengDepartment of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Futian District Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, 518045, China.
Shiying WangSchool of Nursing, Southern Medical University, 1023 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.

Funding

2023 Guangdong Graduate Education Innovation plan project 2023ANLK_018Center for Scientific Research and Development of higher Education institutions, Ministry of Education 2022MU042Teaching quality and teaching reform project ZL2022007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch has shown a relationship between interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) and preterm birth, but a comprehensive understanding remains elusive. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effect of different IPIs on the risk of preterm birth

methodsSystematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Embase up to June 2, 2023. Studies included in the review provided data on IPIs and preterm birth outcomes, assessed via the NOS quality scale. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between IPIs and preterm birth.

resultsFrom 34 studies and 8,646,679 individuals, the optimal IPIs were found to be 24-29 months, showing significantly lower risks of preterm birth at less than 32 weeks of gestation [OR=0.55 (95%CI: 0.50 - 0.62)]and at less than 37 weeks of gestation[OR=0.61 (95%CI: 0.59 - 0.63)]compared to IPIs less than 5 months.

conclusionsIPIs of 24-29 months significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth, suggesting a potential target range for family planning and clinical recommendations.

trial registrationNot applicable.

Indexed as

Birth IntervalsPremature BirthBayes TheoremFemaleGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornPregnancyRisk FactorsInterpregnancy intervalsMeta-analysisPreterm birthSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40022000
PMCPMC11871605

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.