Risk factors for obstetric complications in adolescent mothers

Authors

Keywords:

adolescent pregnancy, anemia, pregnancy complications, preterm labor, risk factors

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy increases the risk of obstetric and neonatal complications. Therefore, identifying associated risk factors is essential to implement effective prevention strategies and improve maternal health outcomes.

Objective: To identify sociodemographic, anthropometric, obstetric, and clinical factors associated with obstetric complications in adolescent mothers treated at a public hospital.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical case-control study was conducted. Medical records of 90 cases and 180 controls selected through simple random sampling were analyzed. Variables were assessed using bivariate analysis (chi-square test and trend test for ordinal variables) and multivariate analysis with logistic regression.

Results: The risk factors significantly associated with obstetric complications were being a student (OR= 2.07; 95% CI: 1.09–3.91) and excessive gestational weight gain (OR= 2.22; 95% CI: 1.19–4.15). In contrast, adequate gestational weight gain was identified as a protective factor (OR= 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34–0.87). Additionally, 15% of pregnancies resulted in preterm births (mean gestational age: 34.95 weeks), while 85% reached full term (mean: 38.63 weeks).

Conclusion: Obstetric complications in adolescent mothers are influenced by multiple factors, including being a student and exceeding the recommended gestational weight gain. On the other hand, adequate weight gain during pregnancy showed a protective effect.

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References

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Published

2025-07-17

How to Cite

1.
Ybaseta-Medina J, Almeida – Galindo J, Uribe–Quiroz C, Ybaseta – Soto L, Chalco – Barrientos G. Risk factors for obstetric complications in adolescent mothers. Rev Cubana Med Milit [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 17 [cited 2025 Jul. 19];54(3):e025076527. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/76527

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 3 (2025): July - September (In Progress)

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Jorge Ybaseta-Medina, José Almeida – Galindo , Cecilia Uribe–Quiroz , Luciana Ybaseta – Soto , Guadalupe Chalco – Barrientos

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