Adolescent pregnancy. Gestational weight gain and maternal and infant outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the advantages and disadvantages of large gestational weight gain among pregnant adolescents.


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal survey.


METHODS
Adolescent-oriented maternity program in Rochester, NY.


METHODS
One hundred forty-one poor, black, pregnant 12- through 19-year-olds grouped according to rate of gestational weight gain. Slow weight gain was defined as weight gain of less than 0.23 kg per week; average, 0.23 to 0.4 kg per week; and rapid, more than 0.4 kg per week.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Infants of rapid weight-gainers were significantly larger than infants of slower weight-gainers but did not experience fewer perinatal complications than other infants. Infants of slow weight-gainers were significantly smaller than infants of average and rapid weight-gainers and experienced more perinatal complications than other infants. Adolescents who gained weight rapidly retained more weight and, therefore, were more often obese after pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of large weight gains for pregnant adolescents and their infants are well-documented; this study demonstrates the importance of balancing the long-term potential morbidity of maternal obesity against the benefits of enhanced fetal growth in formulating weight-gain recommendations for pregnant adolescents.
Stevens-Simon
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Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver.
McAnarney
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ER
D000293:Adolescent; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss