Adolescent pregnancy in French Guiana: double trouble for young mothers and small vulnerable newborns
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives Adolescent pregnancies (AP), defined as pregnancies in girls aged 10–19 years, are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. They are frequently reported among those with low economic status. French Guiana (FG) is a French overseas territory with important social inequalities in South America, marked by inequalities. Our study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and use of the healthcare system for AP in FG. Study design Population based historical cohort. Methods This study included all births in FG between 2013 and 2021. Data from each mother-newborn pair ≥22 weeks of gestation and/or weighing ≥500 g were analysed. AP were compared to non-AP. Results 67,962 newborns were included. AP accounted for 8810 pregnancies (13.0 %), which was 10 times more than in France. Newborns from AP were more frequently transferred to neonatal care units when compared to those from non-AP (10.6 % vs 9.5 %, p < 10 −3 ). St-Laurent-du-Maroni hospital (western part of FG) was the main place of delivery for AP with 50.7 % of all AP delivering there. Two countries of origin of the mothers accounted for the majority of AP: FG (65.9 %) and Suriname (17.3 %) (p<10 -3 ). AP were more frequently associated with preterm birth (aOR = 1.09 [1.01–1.18]), small for gestational age newborns (aOR = 1.66 [1.55–1.78]) and lack of health insurance coverage at delivery (aOR = 1.34[1.19–1.49]). Conclusions AP in FG is a public health concern. Comprehensive prevention and care approaches are needed given the double burden faced by young mothers and their children.
Source: Public Health
Authors: Lindsay Osei, Françoise Vendittelli, Mathilde Georgeault, Leslie Alcouffe, Mathieu Nacher, Gabriel Carles, Najeh Hcini, Malika Leneuve-Dorilas, Joy Lawn, Akoï Koivogui, Soraya Nicolaus, Annick Epailly, Sabrina Covis, Célia Basurko, Louise Vuylsteker, Alain Prual, Thierry Cardoso, Stéphanie Bernard, Nicolas Vignier, Narcisse Elenga
Institutions: Université de Bordeaux, Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles Guyane, Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane, Lyon 1 Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont Auvergne INP, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Laboratoire d'Informatique Médicale et d'Ingénierie des Connaissances en e-Santé, Santé Publique France, Université Paris Cité, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Avicenne, Établissement public Campus Condorcet, Infection, Anti-microbiens, Modélisation, Evolution
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,130
OpenAlex ID: W4414015871