Inadequate weight gain among pregnant adolescents: risk factors and relationship to infant birth weight.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Among adolescents, maternal weight gain is considered the most important determinant of infant birth weight. To assist obstetricians in identifying adolescents at highest risk of inadequate weight gain early in the pregnancy, a study was conducted of 337 US adolescents under 18 years of age who delivered a full-term infant at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston) in 1992-94. 39 (11.6%) of these adolescents gained under 20 pounds during pregnancy. Infants of these adolescents weighed significantly less at birth (average, 2942 g) than those of adolescents who gained 20 or more pounds (average, 3392 g). Moreover, the low-birth-weight (2500 g) rate was 13% in the former group compared with less than 1% in the adequate weight gain group. Gravidity, parity, school enrollment, marital status, employment status, or poverty level were not associated with maternal weight gain. Stepwise logistic regression identified the following risk factors for insufficient weight gain during pregnancy: physical assault/battering during pregnancy (odds ratio (OR), 5.3), a sexually transmitted disease during pregnancy (OR, 2.3), and an unplanned pregnancy (OR, 8.1). History taking during adolescent pregnancy should be expanded to include assessment of these factors.