Hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations influence birth outcome in pregnant Polish adolescents

Objectives: With regard to the decreasing number of young mothers who give birth in Poland we decided to analyze retrospectively the relationship between hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration in 347 pregnant women aged 15-25 years treated in the DFMMG PMMHRI in Łodź in the period between 2000 and 2006. The study population was arranged into two groups: the research group of 111 pregnancies in the age between 15 and 18 and the control group of 236 adult women (19-25 yrs old). In the analysis we took into account: obstetric history, hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration, prevalence of anemia. Results: In the group of teenagers we observed a decreasing trend in number of deliveries. This trend occurred to be statistically significant. The prevalence of anemia in adolescents during pregnancy was higher than typically reported in adult women. In teenagers 11.97 g/dl, in control group 12.22 g/dl, the statistical difference was found significant (p = 0.033). Conclusions: 1) The prevalence of anemia in multiple regression analyses occurred higher in group of adolescents than in group of adult women before and after delivery. Differences in level of Hg in bought group after delivery was statistically important. 2) Inadequate prenatal care, history of selfreported cigarette use were significantly associated with lower hemoglobin during pregnancy