Teenage Pregnancies in Austria – an Epidemiological Study on Prevalence and Perinatal Outcome

• Published in: Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 2023-02, Vol.83 (2), p.212-219
• Main Authors: Lastinger, Julia, Enengl, Sabine, Neururer, Sabrina, Leitner, Hermann, Oppelt, Peter, Stelzl, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: GebFra Science
• ISSN: 0016-5751; 1438-8804
• DOI: 10.1055/a-1911-1996

Abstract Introduction Even though teenage pregnancy rates have been declining in the last decades, their global prevalence is still high and shows country-specific discrepancies. Insufficient sexual education, poor availability of contraceptives and early marriage are some of the multifactorial causes for adolescent pregnancies. Very often teenage pregnancies are classified as high-risk pregnancies. Studies have found higher rates of peripartal complications, such as preterm birth, low birth weight or low fetal Apgar-Scores. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to evaluate the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in Austria and to identify principal differences in maternal and neonatal outcome. Material and methods Data were collected from the Austrian Birth Registry between 01/2012 and 12/2020. A total of 751661 deliveries in Austria were documented. Obstetric, maternal and neonatal parameters were descriptively analyzed. Mothers were subclassified into two age groups: teenage mothers of 19 years and younger and adult mothers of 20 to 39 years of age. Results Newborns of teenage mothers were significantly smaller (49.98 ± 3.11 vs. 50.31 ± 3.16 cm, p < 0.001) and had a lower birth weight (3216 ± 564 vs. 3247 ± 576 g, p < 0.001) than newborns of adult mothers. The percentage of caesarean deliveries in the teenage group was significantly lower than in adult mothers (21.1 vs. 31.8%, p < 0.001). Newborns of teenage mothers had significantly higher rates of very low (< 4) and low (< 7) 5-minute Apgar scores (5-minute Apgar < 4: 0.75 vs. 0.54%, p = 0.004) (5-minute Apgar < 7: 1.77 vs. 1.37%, p = 0.001) and significantly lower arterial umbilical-cord pH (7.25 ± 0.08 vs. 7.26 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). Perinatal mortality was higher in the age group below 20 years (0.7 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.043). Conclusion The data of this study show significantly poorer outcomes in pregnancies of teenagers compared to adult women, even though the healthcare system in Austria is considered excellent. Future guideline recommendations should focus on important aspects of obstetric care in teenage mothers. Zusammenfassung Einleitung Schwangerschaften im Teenageralter haben weltweit, trotz insgesamt rückläufiger Zahlen, eine relativ hohe Prävalenz mit großem länderspezifischem Unterschied. Die Ursachen dafür sind multifaktoriell und reichen von mangelnder Sexualaufklärung über schlechte Verfügbarkeit von Verhütungsmitteln bis hin zu früher Heirat. Häufig werden Teenagerschwangerschaften als