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Maureen G. Phipps, MD, MPH and MaryFran Sowers, PhD

At the time of the study, Maureen G. Phipps was with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. MaryFran Sowers is with the Department of Epidemiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Maureen G. Phipps, MD, MPH, Department of Obstretrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley St, Providence, RI 02905.

Objectives. This study determined the age group for the case definition of early adolescent childbearing based on rates of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods. We examined rates of infant mortality, very low birthweight (<1500 g), and very preterm delivery (<32 weeks) per 1000 live births for all US singleton first births (n = 768 029) to women aged 12 to 23 years in the 1995 US birth cohort.

Results. Rates of infant mortality, very low birthweight, and very preterm delivery were graphed by maternal age. In all 3 cases, the inflection point below which the rate of poor birth outcome is lower and begins to stabilize is at 16 years; therefore, mothers 15 years and younger were grouped together to determine the case definition of early adolescent childbearing. The inflection points were similar when outcomes were stratified by the 3 largest US racial/ethnic groups (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Mexican American).

Conclusions. From this population-based analysis of birth outcomes, we conclude that early adolescent childbearing is best defined as giving birth at 15 years or younger.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Dunbar, J. Sheeder, D. Lezotte, D. Dabelea, and C. Stevens-Simon Age at Menarche and First Pregnancy Among Psychosocially At-Risk Adolescents Am J Public Health, October 1, 2008; 98(10): 1822 - 1824. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]