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Objectives The United States has one of the highest teen birth rates among developed countries. Interstate birth rates and abortion rates vary widely, as do policies on abortion and sex education. The objective of our study is to assess whether US state-level policies regarding abortion and sexual education are associated with different teen birth and teen abortion rates. Methods We carried out a state-level (N = 51 [50 states plus the District of Columbia]) retrospective observational cross-sectional study, using data imported from the National Vital Statistics System. State policies were obtained from the Guttmacher Institute. We used descriptive statistics and regression analysis to study the association of different state policies with teen birth and teen abortion rates. Results The state-level mean birth rates, when stratifying between policies protective and nonprotective of teen births, were not statistically different—for sex education policies, 39.8 of 1000 vs 45.1 of 1000 ( P = .2187); for mandatory parents' consent to abortion 45 of 1000, vs 38 of 1000 when the minor could consent ( P = .0721); and for deterrents to abortion, 45.4 of 1000 vs 37.4 of 1000 ( P = .0448). Political affiliation (35.1 of 1000 vs 49.6 of 1000, P < .0001) and ethnic distribution of the population were the only variables associated with a difference between mean teen births. Lower teen abortion rates were, however, associated with restrictive abortion policies, specifically lower in states with financial barriers, deterrents to abortion, and requirement for parental consent. Conclusion While teen birth rates do not appear to be influenced by state-level sex education policies, state-level policies that restrict abortion appear to be associated with lower state teen abortion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Dystocia, the presence of abnormal labor, is the most common indication for cesarean delivery. Risk factors for dystocia include abnormalities of expulsatile forces during labor, fetal factors, and maternal pelvic size abnormalities. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic size on the risk of cesarean delivery rates using adolescent maternal age as an unbiased determinant of pelvic size. Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Linked Birth-Infant Death and Fetal Death data on all births in the US between 1995 and 2004 for women aged 12 to 20. We excluded all births of gestational age under 24 weeks and those with reported congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities. Maternal age and mode of delivery information was obtained from the birth records. Results: There were 6,188,704 births in our cohort of which 1,863 were to women aged 12; 12,903 to women aged 13; 68,890 to women aged 14, and the remainder to women aged 15 and above. Cesarean delivery rates were highest amongst women aged 12 at 19.59 % and declined to 13.92% amongst 15 year-olds, and 14.84 % amongst 20 year olds. This effect was more pronounced when the analysis was restricted to macrosomic fetuses (P<0.005). Conclusion: Cesarean delivery rates increase the younger the maternal age is suggesting that pelvic factors can play an important role in dystocia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Pregnancy in young adolescents is often understudied. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of young maternal age on adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Linked Birth-Infant Death and Fetal Death data on all births in the US between 1995 and 2004. We excluded all births of gestational age under 24 weeks and those with reported congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities. Maternal age was obtained from the birth certificate and relative risks estimating its effect on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were computed using unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results: 37,504,230 births met study criteria of which 300,627 were in women aged <15 years with decreasing rates from 11/1,000 to 6/1,000 over a 10-year period. As compared to women 15 years and older, women <15 were more likely to be black and Hispanic, less likely to have adequate prenatal care, and more likely to not have had any prenatal care. In adjusted analysis, births to women <15 were more likely to be IUGR, born under 28, 32, and 37 weeks’ gestation and to result in stillbirths and infant deaths. Prenatal care was protective against infant deaths in women < 15 years of age. Conclusion: Although public health initiatives have been successful in decreasing rates of young adolescent pregnancies, these remain high risk pregnancies that may benefit from centers capable of ensuring adequate prenatal care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]