Abstract
This study describes the relationships among specified variables for a local health department adolescent prenatal population. The variables included chronological age, gynecological age, education level, race, marital status, smoking, total prenatal weight gain, ketonuria, gestational age of infant, infant birthweight, Apgar scores at one and at five minutes, and patient participation in W.I.C.
Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kendall Tau B correlation coefficient. Gynecological age was significantly related (.291, p < .01) to gestational age. W.I.C. Program participation was significantly related (-.245, p < .05) to gestational age. In addition, infant birth weight was significantly related to maternal educational level (.275, p < .01), marital status (.373, p < .001), smoking (.287, p < .001) and gestational age (.245, p < .01). Gestational age was significantly related (-.300, p < .01) to Apgar scores at one minute.
It appears that adolescent pregnancy occurring two years past menarche improves the chances for a normal pregnancy outcome. These perinatal findings can be used to identify adolescent prenatals with risk factors which may require special counseling and medical care to ensure a healthy mother and infant.