Earlier maturation of pregnant black and white adolescents
C. Hoff, W. Wertelecki, S. Zansky, E. Reyes, J. Dutt and A. Stumpe
A survey was made of the menarcheal age and anthropometry of 1,844 lower
income, nulliparous female patients receiving prenatal care. No differences
were observed between black and white patients in height and maximum
pregnant weight. A significantly earlier mean menarcheal age was observed
in adolescents (12 to 16 years) compared with adults (17 to 31 years).
Younger adolescents (12 to 14 years) of both races were taller and heavier
(prepregnancy) than National Center for Health Statistics standards and had
a significantly greater weight-for-height. Menarcheal age and body habitus
were consistent with other reports that younger pregnant adolescents tend
to be earlier maturers than older pregnant adolescents and adults. Compared
with their age-group cohorts (13 to 31 years) in the two-decades-old
Collaborative Perinatal Study of the National Institute of Neurological
Communicative Disorders and Stroke, these female patients were larger and
had greater pregnancy weight gains. These anthropometric findings may
reflect the two decades of improvements in social assistance and prenatal
care for lower income women.
