Adolescence As Risk Factor for Adverse Pregnancy Outcome in Central Africa – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide. Young maternal age at delivery has been proposed as risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome, yet there is insufficient data from Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of maternal adolescence on pregnancy outcomes in the Central African country Gabon.Methodology and Principal FindingsData on maternal age, parity, birth weight, gestational age, maternal Plasmodium falciparum infection, use of bednets, and intake of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy were collected in a cross-sectional survey in 775 women giving birth in three mother-child health centers in Gabon. Adolescent women (≤16 years of age) had a significantly increased risk to deliver a baby with low birth weight in univariable analysis (22.8%, 13/57, vs. 9.3%, 67/718, OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5–5.6) and young maternal age showed a statistically significant association with the risk for low birth weight in multivariable regression analysis after correction for established risk factors (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1–6.5). In further analysis adolescent women were shown to attend significantly less antenatal care visits than adult mothers (3.3±1.9 versus 4.4±1.9 mean visits, p<0.01, n = 356) and this difference accounted at least for part of the excess risk for low birth weight in adolescents.ConclusionOur data demonstrate the importance of adolescent age as risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome. Antenatal care programs specifically tailored for the needs of adolescents may be necessary to improve the frequency of antenatal care visits and pregnancy outcomes in this risk group in Central Africa.

Risk factors of poor outcome of pregnancy and delivery in adolescents: a case-control study at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital

“…Again, for Kurth et al, when performing fewer antenatal care consultations compared to adult mothers adolescents were at risk of having babies with a small birth weight (3.3±1.9 against 4.4±1.9 on average; P <0.01). 10 Our study showed a 6 folds increased risk of low birth weight in the poor outcome group. Bulkumez et al emphasized on the need of sufficient antenatal care consultations which reduces the occurrence of poor outcome.…”

Low Birth Weight and Prematurity in Teenage Mothers in Rural Areas of Burkina Faso

“…Inadequate number of antenatal visits has often been cited as deleterious factor of fetal outcome [12,39]. However, a free provision of quality health care including antenatal package was provided throughout the duration of the PREGACT trial.…”

Early Teenage Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

“…In this study, delivery before 32 weeks was higher in early teenage women (10.0 vs. 6.9 %), but this difference did not reach a significant level (P = 0.62). The risk of preterm delivery is 1.9 times more among teenagers [12,13]. There are no significant differences in birth weights between the two groups; this is due to similar prevalence of preterm delivery 32-36 weeks and very preterm delivery \32 weeks, PROM, PIH and PET which adversely affect birth weights.…”