Maternal weight gain and pregnancy outcome in adolescent girls in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Maternal weight gain is an important predictor of pregnancy outcome. Pregnancy in adolescence is a major health challenge because it is associated with high risk. Few studies have been carried out on the influence of weight gain in adolescent pregnancy outcome in Nigeria. Objective: This study determines the influence of maternal weight gain on the pregnancy outcome of adolescent mothers in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of case notes of 785 adolescents <19 years and 1300 adult mothers who delivered at Adeoyo and Oluyoro maternity hospitals from January 2003 to December 2006 was carried out. Anthropometric information such as weight at second and third trimester, and infant birth weight and length were collected using a record review proforma. The data were analyzed using chi-square, ANOVA, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation. Results. Adolescent mothers had a significantly lower weight gain (6.1 ±2.9 kg) compared to the control whose mean weight gain was 6.7±3.6 kg (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference in the proportion of the adolescent mothers (77.3%) and the adult mothers (57.6%) with packed cell volume below normal levels (p<0.05). The mean infant birth weight and length among adolescents (2.8±0.5 kg and 46.6±4.0cm) were significantly lower than 3.1 ±0.5 kg and 47.9±3.5cm of adult mothers respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence of low birth weight was significantly higher among the adolescent mothers (12.2%) than in the adult mothers (7.9%) (p<0.05). A significant positive relationship was found between infant birth weight and maternal weight gain in pregnancy (rs= 0.18, p<0.05). Caesarean section was significantly higher among adolescent mothers (21.0%) than adult mothers (10.7%) (p<0.05). Complications of pregnancy were more common among adolescent mothers (35.8%) than adult mothers (15.5%). Conclusion-. The adolescent mothers had significantly lower weight gain in pregnancy and higher rates of low birth weight compared to the adult mothers (p<0.05). Strategies to reduce incidence of adolescent pregnancies and improve access to nutrition information that will promote weight gain among pregnant adolescents should be instituted.