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Child spacing: impact on health.


 The incidence and pattern of infant death and child illness and death are closely linked to fertility levels and birth intervals. Estimates from the World Fertility Survey data for all countries combined show that infant mortality is 60-70% higher for children born within 2 years or less of birth of an older sibling. Risk for the older child is 77% higher if a new baby is born within 1 year. About 1 in 7 of the 14 million deaths among children under 5 are associated with poor birth spacing. The detailed risk factors explaining these deaths include stopping breast feeding too soon, which increases likelihood of succumbing to diarrhea and respiratory infections. Breast feeding into the 2nd and 3rd years supplements nutrition where malnutrition is common. Since breast feeding has a natural contraceptive effect, early weaning may be a cause of rapid pregnancy as well as a result. A major advantage of longer birth intervals is reduced chance of low birth weight, a major contributing factor in infant deaths. Family health is another effect of longer child spacing because the mother has time to recover physically, to care for other young children, and give them time and attention. With fewer youngsters, change of infection passing between them is much lower. Women need access to family planning and education about the importance of breast feeding.
