Adolescence and Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Disproportionate Association

Abstract

Preterm birth is one of the major unresolved problems in modern obstetrics. Although the association between adolescence and preterm birth has been reported previously, specific attention has not been focused on the VLBW neonate. We conclude that adolescents deliver a disproportionate number of VLBW infants.

The Risk for Infant Mortality among Adolescent Childbearing Groups

“…[1][2][3][4] Causes for the poorer birth outcomes in adolescents have been ascribed to lower rates of adequate prenatal care, 5 poor weight gain and nutrition, 6 higher rates of tobacco use, high-risk health behaviors, 7 and socioeconomic background characteristics. 8 For the most part, teen pregnancy and childbearing studies refer to 15-19-year-old mothers and do not often include childbearing in adolescents ,15 years old.…”

Effect of maternal age and growth on placental nutrient transport: potential mechanisms for teenagers' predisposition to small-for-gestational-age birth?

“…growth-restricted infants (4,13,16,38). Biological immaturity due to young maternal age and continued maternal growth have been implicated as causal factors of teenagers' susceptibility (12-14, 40, 45).…”

Assessment of Maternal and Fetal Outcome by Comparing Teenage Pregnancies and Primigravidae Aged 20-29 Years.

“…More number of unbooked cases usually due to low socioeconomic status and illiteracy of patients PIH, Anemia, Abruptio placenta, PROM, Oligohydramnios were observed in higher percentage among teenage pregnancies when compared to primigravida within the age group of 20-29 years. Bhattacharya A et al [12], Bhalerao AR et al [13], Miller HS et al [14], Jacono JJ et al [15] observed that more antenatal complications among teenage pregnancies when compared to primigravida with in the age group of 20-29 years. Anemia (67.8%) was the most commonly observed complication in both groups followed by PIH which was 29.2%.…”