[Adolescent primiparous women, 17-years-old and younger]

Between January 1, 1983 and June 30, 1991, 107,420 primiparae were recorded in the Swiss Statistics, which cover approx. 60 hospitals. 573 primiparae were 17 years of age or less (= Group I). The control group consisted of 106,855 primiparae between 18 and 35 years of age (Group II). Comparison of these 2 groups showed the following results: A significantly higher risk in prematurity in Group I. There was no significant difference in perinatal mortality or in birth weight under 2,500 g. A significantly lower rate of caesarean sections and of surgical assisted vaginal deliveries were recorded in Group I.