Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Young Adolescents

Objective: To determine whether pregnant adolescents < or = 15 years of age developed more perinatal complications than older adolescents or adult women.

Study Design: We conducted a study of 147 nulliparous adolescents < or = 15 years of age who initiated prenatal care at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston between January 1, 1992, and April 27, 1994. For purposes of analyses, these patients were then compared to two groups: (1) all nulliparas between the ages of 16 and 17 (n = 287) and (2) those 20-22 years old (n = 107) who delivered an infant of > or = 20 weeks' gestation and initiated care during the same interval at this same facility. Chi-square, Kruskall-Wallis or Student's t test initially was used to identify differences between groups in demographic characteristics and perinatal complications. Logistic regression analyses were then performed to determine whether observed differences in outcomes remained while controlling for potentially confounding variables.

Results: Adolescents < or = 15 years of age were more likely to develop anemia and less likely to deliver an infant who required admission to the intensive care unit. No differences were observed between groups in the prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, meconium staining, endometritis, preterm delivery, low birth weight, low Apgar score or fetal demise.

Conclusion: Adolescents < or = 15 years of age experience perinatal outcomes similar to those of older adolescents and young adult women.