Adolescent pregnancy. Gestational weight gain and maternal and infant outcomes
C. Stevens-Simon and E. R. McAnarney
Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver.
OBJECTIVE--To clarify the advantages and disadvantages of large gestational
weight gain among pregnant adolescents. DESIGN--Prospective, longitudinal
survey. SETTING--Adolescent-oriented maternity program in Rochester, NY.
PARTICIPANTS--One hundred forty-one poor, black, pregnant 12- through
19-year-olds grouped according to rate of gestational weight gain. Slow
weight gain was defined as weight gain of less than 0.23 kg per week;
average, 0.23 to 0.4 kg per week; and rapid, more than 0.4 kg per week.
INTERVENTIONS--None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS--Infants of rapid
weight-gainers were significantly larger than infants of slower
weight-gainers but did not experience fewer perinatal complications than
other infants. Infants of slow weight-gainers were significantly smaller
than infants of average and rapid weight-gainers and experienced more
perinatal complications than other infants. Adolescents who gained weight
rapidly retained more weight and, therefore, were more often obese after
pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS--The advantages of large weight gains for pregnant
adolescents and their infants are well-documented; this study demonstrates
the importance of balancing the long-term potential morbidity of maternal
obesity against the benefits of enhanced fetal growth in formulating
weight-gain recommendations for pregnant adolescents.
