THE EFFECT OF YOUNG MATERNAL AGE ON ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME

The main objective of the study is to examine the effect of maternal age on adverse birth outcomes specifically preterm birth, termination or abortion, small for gestational age and low weight at birth. Third round of National Family and Health Survey data (2005-06) has been used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed and age of the women were divided into three categories like 1) less than equal to 19 years, 2) 20-34 years and 3) more than equal to 35 years. Finding shows young maternal age has a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes such as low weight at birth and preterm delivery. They also reported seven times more of delivered premature birth than adult mothers of the study sample. It also comes from the analysis that women with less education and belongs to lower socio-economic strata have a high probability of adverse birth outcome. Complications during pregnancy are also found higher among young women as compare to adult women. From the study it is found that there is an association between education and wealth with adverse birth outcome along with younger maternal age.