The Definition of the Upper Limit of Adolescent Age in Terms of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Introduction This study aims to reveal the maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, associated with adolescent pregnancies in our country, to investigate whether the 20 to 21-year-age group, which is very close to the adolescent age, is similar to the adolescent age group in terms of adverse outcomes, and so to contribute to the definition of the upper limit in adolescent age for pregnancy. Methods Four hundred and twenty-four pregnant women under the 20-year-age, 450 pregnant women at 20 to 21year-age, and 450 pregnant women between 22 and 25-year-age were included in this retrospective study. Maternal demographic features, clinical characteristics, obstetric complications, maternal outcomes, neonatal complications, and neonatal outcomes were collected from the medical records of the participants. Results There were statistically significant differences between under 20-year-age and 22 to 25-year-age, regarding gestational age at birth, maternal duration of hospitalization after delivery, mode of delivery, preterm delivery rate, very low birth weight, and low birth weight, first minute Apgar score, the presence of transient tachypnea of the newborn. Conclusion The upper age limit for the adolescent age, which is considered risky in terms of maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes, was found to be compatible with the upper age limit, which is 19 years, defined by World Health Organization.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among adolescent pregnancies in our country, finding that the 20 to 21-year-age group is similar to the adolescent age group in terms of adverse outcomes. It is suggested that the upper age limit for adolescent pregnancies may be 19 years old, as defined by the World Health Organization.