Abstract
Objectives This study aims to compare women with early (13–16 years), late teenage (17–19 years),
and adult (25–29 years) pregnancies regarding pregnancy risk factors and reproductive
outcomes.
Methods An observational study, utilizing medical charts and direct interview, conducted
in an academic hospital during January 2011 and December 2012. Our sample comprised
395 teenage and 736 adult pregnancies.
Results Pregnant teenagers were more likely than adults to be single (41.7 vs. 33.2%; odds
ratio [OR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–1.84), to live in a rural area
(70.9 vs. 53.9%; OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.60–2.69), and to live with extended family (74.2
vs. 16.0%; OR: 15.04, 95% CI: 11.15–20.29). Adolescent mothers were more likely than
adult mothers to give birth by vaginal delivery (78.5 vs. 69.6%; OR: 1.82, 95% CI:
1.17–2.84), and rate of operative delivery was lower amongst this group (8.6 vs. 9.8%;
OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.5–1.3). The newborns of adolescent mothers were more likely to
be low birth weight (14.9 vs. 9.1%; OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.20–2.54) and more likely to
successfully breastfeed (91.9 vs. 82.2%; OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.63–3.69) but the length
of hospital stay was similar with adult mothers' newborns.
Conclusions The distinct risk factors and behaviors associated with pregnancy, among teenagers
may help address the health needs of this unique and vulnerable group and their offspring.
Keywords
EU countries - teenage - pregnancy - neonatal outcomes
