Neither early nor late for becoming pregnant: Comparison of the perinatal outcomes of adolescent, reproductive age, and advanced maternal age pregnancies

OBJECTIVE To compare perinatal and short-term neonatal outcomes of adolescent, reproductive age, and advanced maternal age (AMA) pregnancies in a low-income region of İstanbul. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred six adolescents, 301 reproductive age, and 303 AMA pregnant women who delivered in Süleymaniye Education and Research Hospital between January 1st 2007, and January 31st 2015, were recruited to the study population. The clinical, obstetric and short-term neonatal outcomes of the women were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Adolescent and AMA pregnancies were associated with severe adverse perinatal and short-term neonatal outcomes compared with reproductive-age women. Adolescent and AMA pregnancies had quite similar risks in obstetric outcomes. Adolescent pregnancies were related with severe adverse short-term neonatal outcomes when compared with advanced maternal age pregnancies. CONCLUSION Adolescent and AMA pregnancies should be defined as high-risk pregnancies. Our research indicated that healthcare providers such as obstetricians, midwives, and family physicians should be alert in these populations.