Characteristics and outcomes of adolescent pregnancies in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.

Adolescent pregnancy is a burgeoning problem in Taiwan. This descriptive epidemiologic study was designed to compare the prenatal characteristics and birth outcomes of adolescent and adult primigravidas. The adolescent primigravidas included 215 mothers (younger adolescents) younger than 18 years of age and 341 mothers aged 18 or 19 years, who registered a live birth in Kaohsiung County from June 1994 to May 1995. The control group consisted of 590 adult primigravidas including 290 mothers aged 20 to 24 years and 300 mothers aged 25 years or older, who registered a live birth in January or February 1995. Prenatally, adolescent primigravidas tended to have later awareness of their pregnancy, later first prenatal visits, fewer total prenatal visits, and less parental support than adults. In addition, adolescents had higher rates of unintended pregnancy, prenatal morbidity, and smoking, and were more often the victims of physical abuse by male partners. The cesarean section rate increased with maternal age, from 21% in younger adolescents to 39.7% in women aged 25 years or above. Potentially inadequate (< 12 kg) weight gain and short duration of breast feeding (< 1 month) were significantly more common in adolescents than in adults. There were no significant differences in birth weight, infant mortality, or postpartum maternal or neonatal morbidity before hospital discharge between the two groups. This study shows that adolescent primigravidas had more adverse prenatal characteristics and less maternal weight gain during gestation. Most of the adverse characteristics and outcomes of adolescent pregnancy found in this study are similar to those reported in Western countries.