Increased Risk of Maternal Complications from Repeat Pregnancy Among Adolescent Women

Objective: To evaluate the risk of adverse maternal outcomes among adolescents experiencing a repeat pregnancy in the Philippines.

Methods: Data were analyzed from four waves (1998-2013) of a cross-sectional nationally representative survey. We included 2518 non-nulliparous and non-pregnant women aged 15-44 years with an interpregnancy interval (IPI) of 24 months or less. Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure the association of repeat pregnancy with adverse maternal outcomes by age group (11-19, 20-24, and 25-45 years), accounting for clustering within each respondent. A stratified analysis by IPI (≤24 vs >24 months) was conducted among 11-19 year olds.

Results: No association was observed between repeat pregnancy and low birthweight among adolescent mothers. A second pregnancy increased the risk of pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 10.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.00-27.49) and labor (adjusted OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.61-8.09) complications among adolescent women (11-19 years). Interaction tests showed there was a significant increase in these risks as compared with older women. Stratified analysis by IPI did not modify the observed effect for either outcome.

Conclusion: Repeat pregnancy among Filipino adolescents increased the risk of pregnancy and labor complications irrespective of IPI.