Younger Age in Adolescent Pregnancies Is Associated with Higher Risk of Adverse Outcomes

Maria de la Calle, Jose L. Bartha, Cristina M. Lopez, Miriam Turiel, Nuria Martinez, Silvia M. Arribas and David Ramiro-Cortijo
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Maria de la Calle: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Jose L. Bartha: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Cristina M. Lopez: Pediatrics Service, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Miriam Turiel: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Nuria Martinez: Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Silvia M. Arribas: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
David Ramiro-Cortijo: Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: Adolescent pregnancy remains a health issue worldwide also in developed countries, since it has been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Some data suggest that very young adolescents have higher risk, likely due to immaturity. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of maternal age on complications during gestation and labor in pregnant women between 13 and 19 years of age. In particular, we evaluated the possible association between maternal age and obstetric, fetal and labor complications. This is a retrospective, observational and exploratory study conducted at Hospital Universitario La Paz (HULP, Madrid, Spain). The clinical history of 279 women who delivered between 2013 and 2018 was analyzed. Maternal age and the presence of maternal, fetal and labor complications, as well as risk of postpartum depression and breastfeeding intention, were recorded. General regression models were used to analyze the contribution of maternal age on each complication. The percentage of adolescent pregnancies at HULP between 2013 and 2018 was 0.9%. The risk of all the maternal complications analyzed decreased significantly with every year of age of the mother (hyperemesis, lower back pain, anemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and threat of premature labor and premature rupture of membranes). Every year of maternal age decreased 0.8-fold [0.8; 0.9] the prevalence of fetal complications and also reduced the risk of C-section, postpartum hemorrhage and obstetrical hysterectomy. Furthermore, higher maternal age increased 1.1-fold [1.0; 1.2] the breastfeeding intention. In conclusion, young adolescents are at higher risk of complications during pregnancy and labor.

Keywords: adolescent pregnancy; maternal complications; fetal complications; labor complications; obstetrical control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8514-:d:612995

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