USE OF A FOCUSED TEEN PRENATAL CLINIC AT A MILITARY TEACHING HOSPITAL- MODEL FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES OF UNMARRIED MOTHERS

We evaluated the utility of a focussed, multidisciplinary adolescent c linic in improving perinatal outcomes. The study population included a ll delivering unmarried teenagers (13-19 years) from January 1, 1993 t o December 31, 1995 attending the focussed adolescent obstetrical clin ic compared to a similar cohort of married teenagers (13-19 years), ma rried 20-24 year-old patients, and unmarried 20-24 year-old patients. There were no statistical differences in chorioamnionitis, intrauterin e growth retardation (IUGR), postpartum haemorrhage, maternal weight g ain, mean gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery rates (<37 wee ks), low birthweight (<2,500 g), Caesarean delivery, postterm delivery rates (>41 weeks), macrosomia (>4,000 g), placental abruption, chroni c hypertension, alcohol use, Apgar scores or stillbirth rates or neona tal death rates among the 3 groups studied. Statistical differences we re noted in mean delivery weights (p<0.05), preeclampsia (p<0.004), ge stational diabetes (p<0.01), history of substance abuse (p<0.0001), to bacco use (p<0.0001), and forceps delivery rates (p<0.004). However, i n the teen cohort none of these differences appeared to adversely affe ct perinatal outcomes in our patients. The focussed, adolescent obstet rical clinic appears to provide perinatal morbidities equal to a low-r isk, general population generating better than expected outcomes for p regnant teenagers.