Gastroschisis, low maternal age, and fetal morbidity outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the risk for fetal growth inhibition among gastroschisis-afflicted fetuses is heightened among younger gravidas (teen mothers).


METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study on live-born infants with isolated gastroschisis delivered in New York State from 1983 through 1999. We compared infants of mature (>20 years) mothers with those of younger (<20 years) mothers with respect to the following indices of fetal morbidity outcomes: low birth weight and very low birth weight, preterm and very pre-term, and small for gestational age. We used adjusted odds ratios to approximate relative risks.


RESULTS
A total of 368 infants with isolated gastroschisis were analyzed. The two groups differed in terms of mean gestational age at delivery [Mean + standard deviation(SD) for infants with gastroschisis born to mature mothers = 37.2 weeks +/- 2.8 versus 36.3 weeks + 3.6 for those of teenage mothers(p = 0.01)], as well as mean birth weight [mean birth weight +/- SD for infants with gastroschisis born to mature mothers = 2562.4 grams +548.8 versus 2367.9 grams +/- 645.2 for those of younger mothers (p = 0.004)]. Infants of teen mothers were about twice as likely to be of low birth weight (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.05-2.77) and about three times as likely to be born very preterm when compared to those of mature mothers (OR = 2.80; 95% Cl = 1.02-8.00). No significant differences were observed with respect to very low birth weight, pre-term and small for gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
Low maternal age appears to be a risk factor for low birth weight and very preterm birth among gastroschisis-affected fetuses. This information is potentially useful for planning by care providers and in counseling affected parents.
Emusu
Donath
D
Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA.
Salihu
Hamisu M
HM
Aliyu
Zakari Y
ZY
Pierre-Louis
Bosny J
BJ
Druschel
Charlotte M
CM
Kirby
Russell S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D009017:Morbidity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors