Children born to mothers of “non-standard” age may find themselves in less favorable starting conditions compared to their peers. However, a late child also has advantages: for example, the chances of getting a quality education are higher.
Pregnancy in adolescence (before 19 years) and older (over 35 years) is accompanied by an increased risk for mother and child. Although the number of teenage pregnancies has decreased in almost all countries since 1990, about 11% of the world’s births still occur in adolescent girls, 95% of whom live in middle- and low-income countries.
Most early births occur in sub-Saharan Africa due to the widespread practice of early marriages in this region.
Recently, however, scientists have paid more attention to late pregnancies. For example, in the United States, the number of women who give birth for the first time at the age of 35-39 has increased several times over the period from 1970 to 2012 (from 17 to 110 per 1000 people). Data on this trend in middle- and low-income countries is not yet available.
Children born to adolescent girls generally have fewer opportunities for all-round development
Epidemiologist, professor at the University of Southampton (Great Britain) Caroline Fall and colleagues summarized data from five long-term studies conducted in Brazil, Guatemala, India, South Africa and the Philippines.
The life and health of 19403 people were tracked for many years, starting from birth. The aim of the review was to determine the impact of adolescence (less than 19 years) or older (more than 35 years) maternal age at birth on various indicators of child development and health.
Children of both young and older mothers had elevated blood sugar levels already in adulthood. It also turned out that children of young mothers, compared with children of mothers aged 20-24:
- are more likely to have low birth weight;
- more often born prematurely;
- more likely to suffer from growth retardation;
- less likely to graduate from high school.
Older mothers were more likely to have children born prematurely, but were less likely to be stunted and more likely to complete high school successfully.
In summary, the researchers conclude that in middle- and low-income countries, children born to adolescent girls generally have fewer opportunities for all-round development.
And children of older mothers, despite a slightly increased risk of preterm birth and some health problems, generally receive better nutrition and education.