Body composition and newborn birthweight in pregnancies of adolescent and mature women

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects for the mother and the newborn (NB). In order to compare body composition (BC) between adolescents (Ad) and mature women (MW) during pregnancy and to determine the difference in birthweight and perinatal morbidity, pregnant Ad (n=40) and MW (n=227) were studied. BC changes between the second and third trimesters were determined by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and birthweight and NB morbidity were evaluated. During the second and third trimesters of the pregnancy, fat mass was lower in the Ad group [16 kg (13-19)] than in the MW group [22 kg (17-27)] (P<0.01; median and quartiles 1-3). Fat-free mass increased by 3.09 kg (2.29-4.20) and 2.20 kg (1.0-3.59) (P≤0.01), and total body water increased by 2.77 L (0.84-4.49) vs. 2.04 L (0.55-3.89) (P=0.36), in the Ad and MW groups, respectively (median and quartiles 1-3). Birthweight was not significantly different between NBs of Ad (3223 ± 399 g) and NBs of MW (3312 ± 427 g, P=0.22). The youngest Ad (<18 year old, n=8) had NB with lower birthweight than MW (3031 ± 503 g, P=0.06). NBs of Ad mothers showed a non-significant trend towards a higher rate of morbidity relative to the NBs of MW. In conclusion, the BC of Ad differs from that of MW during pregnancy. In addition, the NB infants of Ad mothers tended to have a lower birthweight than those from MW, a result that suggests that the Ad should be in strict prenatal control.

Body composition changes in pregnancy: measurement, predictors and outcomes

“…In contrast to previous findings, percentage of skinfold compression calculated from calipers and ultrasound measurements in pregnant adolescents was found to decrease between ~11- and ~30-week gestation in the trunk region, but no changes were observed in the limb regions. 40 It is important to note that these findings may not be generalizable to adult populations, as body composition changes are different in adolescent pregnancy compared with adult women, 41 and whether skinfold compressibility is different in adolescent pregnancy compared with adult pregnancy has not been reported. 41 Moreover, as pregnancy progresses it becomes difficult to obtain skinfold measurements from the trunk region.…”

“…40 It is important to note that these findings may not be generalizable to adult populations, as body composition changes are different in adolescent pregnancy compared with adult women, 41 and whether skinfold compressibility is different in adolescent pregnancy compared with adult pregnancy has not been reported. 41 Moreover, as pregnancy progresses it becomes difficult to obtain skinfold measurements from the trunk region. 42 Edema may also affect the ability to obtain accurate measurements, especially in the leg region.…”

Relationship between maternal body composition during pregnancy and infant’s birth weight in Nairobi informal settlements, Kenya

“… 31 The reported lower body composition (TBW, FFM and FM) among teenage mothers compared with older mothers concurs with similar studies in other countries, for instance, younger mothers in Mexico had slightly lower TBW, FFM and FM compared with older mothers in both second and third trimesters of their pregnancy. 32 It is documented that teenage pregnancy depletes both fat and lean body mass among teenage mothers 33 and also hinders their linear growth. Furthermore, the WHO reports that pregnant teenagers have not achieved full growth and development and continue to grow even during the pregnancy.…”

How to classify BMI among pregnant adolescents? A prospective cohort

“…In 2009 the Institute of Medicine published a guideline with a reviewed GWG recommendation ( 3 ) using the WHO classification of BMI from 1995 ( 5 ) (see online supplementary material, Supplemental File 1). However, this recommendation was based on North American adult women and tended to overestimate the proportion of adolescents with low weight, especially in girls under 16 years old ( 6 ) . In contrast, BMI expressed in percentiles proposed by the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards (CGS) ( 7 ) are used for clinical monitoring of children and adolescents and do not take into account the coexistence of pregnancy (see online supplementary material, Supplemental File 2).…”

“…In contrast, BMI expressed in percentiles proposed by the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards (CGS) ( 7 ) are used for clinical monitoring of children and adolescents and do not take into account the coexistence of pregnancy (see online supplementary material, Supplemental File 2). Thus, the same pregnant adolescent can be classified in two distinct categories of BMI and receive different recommendations for GWG ( 6 ) .…”