The Effect of Teenage Maternal Obesity on Perinatal Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of obesity on perinatal outcomes among inner-city teenage pregnant women. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed all nulliparous teenaged (aged 18 years and younger) deliveries at the Washington Hospital Center between 2000 and 2004. Overweight and obese teenagers (body mass index at or above 25.0 kg/m(2)) were compared with normal-weight (body mass index less than 25.0 kg/m(2)) teenagers. Frequencies and odds ratios for adverse maternal-fetal outcomes were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 10,322 deliveries that occurred during the study period, 712 (7%) were to teenagers. Among the 458 nulliparous teenaged mothers, 274 (60%) were normal weight and 184 (40%) were overweight/obese. Compared with normal-weight teens (n=274), obese teens (n=78) were at higher risk for cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ration [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-7.6) and gestational diabetes (adjusted OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-12.1). Overweight teens (n=106) had lower risk for preterm birth at less than 37 and less than 34 weeks of gestation (adjusted OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.77 and adjusted OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.80, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overweight and obese teenage mothers are at increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Research on optimal weight for pregnant teens and weight control interventions is needed.