Record linkage improves assessment of interpregnancy interval (IPI)

Objective To examine the impact on interpregnancy interval, of linking miscarriage and termination records to birth records. Approach Interpregnancy interval (IPI) is the time between the end of one pregnancy and conception in a subsequent pregnancy. IPI is one of the few modifiable risk factors for adverse birth outcomes. Information about the effect of IPI is particularly important to women who have suffered a pregnancy loss (miscarriage, termination or perinatal death) and want to conceive again. Accurate measurement of the IPI is important for research into its effect. However, most population-based studies have been limited to the use of birth data, which typically only records births of ≥20 weeks gestation. Record linkage offers the opportunity to identify pregnancies ending