Effect of maternal age on pregnancy outcome

Adolescent pregnancies represent 20 percent of deliveries in this country. It is commonly mentioned that adolescent pregnancies are often associated with increased obstetrical and pediatric risks. Two groups of "high risk" parturients (adolescents, N=130; older, N=150) are compared. Demographic characteristics, complications of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum are evaluated.The outcome of pregnancy is similar for both groups of women in most of the parameters studied. Adolescent pregnancies have serious socioeconomic implications, but adolescence per se does not increase the risks of complications to mother and fetus.