Adolescent Caesarean Delivery in the US Military Health Care System

Objectives Determine cesarean delivery (CD) rates and associated demographics among military dependent teenagers. Methods United States military health care claims records of live births from 2003-2006 to 13- through 19-year-old dependent children were analyzed using logistic regression. Results The CD rate rose from 17% in 2003 to 20% in 2006. Rates were significantly higher for ages 18 and 19, for African American sponsors' children, and those who gave birth in a civilian facility. Rates did not differ significantly by sponsor's military rank. Conclusions Teenagers in the military health care system have increasing rates of CD. Independent demographic risk factors for teenage CD include age > 17 years, sponsor's race African American, and delivery at a civilian facility.