Preterm birth and reduced birthweight in first and second teenage pregnancies: a register-based cohort study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Research Article

Louise C Kenny¹  Ali S Khashan²  Philip N Baker³ 

[1] Anu Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland;Anu Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland;The Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK;The Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK;

关键词: Preterm Birth;    Maternal Smoking;    Adverse Pregnancy Outcome;    Teenage Pregnancy;    Teenage Mother;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2393-10-36

 received in 2010-02-18, accepted in 2010-07-09,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHigher risks of preterm birth and small for gestational age babies have been reported in teenagers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between first and second teenage pregnancies and preterm birth, birthweight and small for gestational age (SGA).MethodsAll women aged 14 to 29 yrs who gave birth to live singletons in the North Western Region of England between January 1st 2004 and December 31st 2006 were identified. Women were classified in three groups; 14-17 yrs, 18-19 yrs and 20-29 yrs (reference group). The outcome measures were preterm birth, very preterm birth, birthweight, SGA (< 5th percentile), very SGA (VSGA< 3rd percentile). We compared these outcome measures in teenagers' first and second pregnancies with those of mothers aged 20 to 29 yrs.ResultsThe risk of preterm birth was increased in first (OR = 1.21, [95% CI: 1.01-1.45]) and second (OR = 1.93, [95% CI: 1.38-2.69]) time mothers aged 14-17 yrs compared to the reference group. Birthweight was reduced in the first (mean difference = -24 g; [95% CI: -40, -7]) and second (mean difference = -80 g; [95% CI: -115, -46]) time mothers aged 14-17 yrs compared to the reference group. There was some evidence of a protective effect against VSGA in 14-17 yr old first time mothers (OR = 0.79, [95% CI: 0.63-0.99]).ConclusionsTeenage mothers are at increased risk of preterm birth compared to adult mothers and this risk is further increased in second time teen pregnancies. This study highlights the importance of ensuring pregnant teenagers have appropriate antenatal care. A first pregnancy may be the first and only time a pregnant teenager interacts with health services and this opportunity for health education and the promotion of contraception should not be overlooked.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Khashan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010