Which adolescent age group has the highest risk of prolonged labor?

Which adolescent age group has the highest risk of prolonged labor?

• A. 12 to 13 years
• B. 14 to 15 years
• C. 19 to 21 years
• D. 16 to 18 years

Answer: (A)

The key idea is pelvic maturity and how it affects labor progression. In very young adolescents, the pelvis is still immature and often narrower, which can lead to cephalopelvic disproportion—when the fetal head cannot pass easily through the birth canal. This mismatch slows labor, making dilation slower and descent harder, so labor tends to become prolonged. As adolescents grow older, pelvic dimensions increase and mature, reducing the likelihood of CPD and shortening labor duration. Therefore, the youngest age group has the highest risk for prolonged labor, with risk decreasing as age increases.

The key idea is pelvic maturity and how it affects labor progression. In very young adolescents, the pelvis is still immature and often narrower, which can lead to cephalopelvic disproportion—when the fetal head cannot pass easily through the birth canal. This mismatch slows labor, making dilation slower and descent harder, so labor tends to become prolonged. As adolescents grow older, pelvic dimensions increase and mature, reducing the likelihood of CPD and shortening labor duration. Therefore, the youngest age group has the highest risk for prolonged labor, with risk decreasing as age increases.