ASSOCIATION OF MATERNAL AGE WITH PRETERM BIRTH AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG ADOLESCENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the scientific evidence on the association between maternal age, preterm birth, and low birth weight, comparing younger and older adolescents. An integrative literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO, considering primary observational studies published between 2021 and 2026 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. Ten studies were included, and their findings were synthesized descriptively and comparatively, respecting the age groups adopted by the authors. Some studies reported higher frequencies of preterm birth and low birth weight among younger adolescents, whereas others found no statistically significant differences. Clinical, social, psychosocial, and prenatal care conditions were relevant to interpreting the findings. Differences in age groups, outcome definitions, and adjustment for confounding factors limited comparisons across studies. The review concluded that the association under investigation was not consistent, and the evidence does not support attributing the outcomes to maternal age alone. Care for pregnant adolescents should consider the specific needs of younger adolescents and the vulnerabilities present across all adolescent age groups.