Infants born to adolescent mothers are at increased risk for which outcome?

Infants born to adolescent mothers are at increased risk for which outcome?

• A. Post-term delivery
• B. Prematurity
• C. Large for gestational age
• D. Macrosomia

Answer: (B)

Infants born to adolescent mothers are most likely to be premature because teenage pregnancy often comes with maternal immaturity and factors that promote early labor, such as limited prenatal care, higher rates of smoking or substance use, and psychosocial stress. Prematurity means birth before 37 weeks and carries risks like respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, and longer hospital stays. Other options don’t fit the pattern as well: post-term delivery is not typically increased in teens and is more often seen with older mothers; macrosomia and large for gestational age are usually linked to maternal diabetes or obesity, which are less common in adolescents. So the most likely adverse outcome in this group is prematurity.

Infants born to adolescent mothers are most likely to be premature because teenage pregnancy often comes with maternal immaturity and factors that promote early labor, such as limited prenatal care, higher rates of smoking or substance use, and psychosocial stress. Prematurity means birth before 37 weeks and carries risks like respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, and longer hospital stays. Other options don’t fit the pattern as well: post-term delivery is not typically increased in teens and is more often seen with older mothers; macrosomia and large for gestational age are usually linked to maternal diabetes or obesity, which are less common in adolescents. So the most likely adverse outcome in this group is prematurity.