title: Pathologic ultrasound findings and risk for congenital anomalies in teenage pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect the number and diagnosis of fetal malformations in teenage pregnancies and to evaluate whether low maternal age or epigenetic factors have an influence on this issue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis in a single center for prenatal diagnostics in Northern Germany. We searched our electronic databank for all pregnancies with maternal age under 20 years. Pregnancy outcome and fetal malformations are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of teenage pregnancies in our study was 638 patients (4.4%). The total of fetal malformations in teenage pregnancies was 51(8.3%). Chromosomal aberrations were found in 5 cases (0.9%). 9 cases of fetal gastroschisis as one of the most frequent malformations were followed up and neonatal outcome was uneventful. Furthermore we found 16 cases with different heart defects and 30 cases with other malformations. Patients' body mass indices showed an increase over the years and nicotine consumption was testified in more than 50% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teenage pregnancies are at risk for fetal non-chromosomal and chromosomal abnormalities. As these might be detected by first-trimester-screening prenatal care in teenage pregnancies should include at least early ultrasound examination. Epigenetic factors may play a key role in certain fetal malformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany. christel.eckmann-scholz@uksh.de
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eckmann-Scholz
authors.forename: Constantin S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: von Kaisenberg
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alkatout
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jonat
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajabi-Wieckhorst
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000649:Amniocentesis; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal