Birth outcomes and risk factors in adolescent pregnancies: results of a Taiwanese national survey.
BACKGROUND
This study explores birth outcomes and determinants in adolescent pregnancies, using subjects drawn from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS) from 2005.


METHODS
Through completed interviews and surveys with mothers or other family members, differences in birth outcomes and personal, pregnancy and social profiles of mothers were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 533 adolescent mothers (<20 years old) and 9347 adult mothers (20-34 years old) were included in our study. There was a significantly higher incidence of low birthweight (LBW) (<2500 g, 10.2% vs 5.6%) and premature birth (<37 weeks, 14.8% vs 8.6%) in the adolescent group. When adjusted for covariates in the multiple-variable model, youth remained a risk factor for LBW (OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.09, 2.07) and premature delivery (OR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.07, 1.89). Age, prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy are important predictors of LBW and premature birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent pregnancy carries a high-risk of LBW and premature birth. Inadequate prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy are contributing factors that could be improved through strategies of health education, family support and case management.
School of Nursing, Institute of Medicine, Chun Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Ching-Pyng
CP
Kuo
Shu-Hsin
SH
Lee
Wei-Ya
WY
Wu
Wen-Chun
WC
Liao
Shio-Jean
SJ
Lin
Meng-Chih
MC
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan