Abstract

PEREZ NETO, Maria Isabel Naliato  and  SEGRE, Conceição Aparecida de Mattos. Comparative analysis of gestations and frequency of prematurity and low birth weight among children of adolescent and adult mothers. Einstein (São Paulo) [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.3, pp. 271-277. ISSN 1679-4508.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082012000300003.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a comparative analysis between the frequency of prematurity and low birth weight among newborns of adolescent and adult mothers, and to evaluate selected maternal data. METHODS: A comparative cohort study involving 703 pregnant women and their newborns at a public hospital in the city of São Paulo (270 mothers aged 10-19 years, and 433 aged 20-35 years), during the period from March to August 2003. RESULTS: The birth of premature or low birth weight children was not prominent in any of the age groups; the small differences found were not statistically significant. However, significant differences were found between the two age groups in the items: number of gestations, with a predominance of first pregnancies among adolescents (70.3%), and a greater number of second or third pregnancies among adults (26.9 and 53.3%, respectively); in the prenatal period, fewer clinic visits among adolescents and more visits among adults (45.1% and 63.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The group of pregnant adolescents in the population studied did not differ from the group of adults as to frequency of prematurity and low birth weight. Among adolescents, there was a significantly higher number of primiparous patients compared to adults, and a lower number of prenatal visits.

Keywords : Pregnancy in adolescence; Infant, low birth weight; Premature birth.