Maternity in the adolescence: prevalence and associated factors

by Berneira Moreira, Carmen Lúcia

Pregnancy in adolescence is associated with low economic and social conditions, bringing some disadvantages in respect to the social and psychological developments, as well as risks for adolescent?s health. In the same way are evidenced disadvantages to the newborn, such as a higher incidence of prematurity, low birth-weight and restrict intra-uterine growth. A nested cross-sectional study was done to evaluate the teen mothers? profile in comparison to the adult mothers who live in the city of Pelotas. The participants were the mothers of children who belong to a cohort. 2741 mothers have been interviewed, being 558 (20.4%) adolescents. Women without a partner had a risk twice higher a child during the adolescence period. The mothers? educational level as well as their partners? showed to be inversely associated to the outcome. Having a teen partner also increased significantly the chances of getting pregnant during the adolescence period.While evaluating the maternal age impact on outcomes such as gestational weight gain, newborn weight, birth conditions and gestational age, no statistically relevant difference has been observed comparing adult and adolescent mothers.