Abstract

DUENAS, Deisy et al. Growth status in pregnant adolescents: its relationship with anthropometric indicators. Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 1996, vol.22, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3062.

A prospective study is conducted aimed at knowing the growth status and its relationship with the nutritional and anthropometric evaluation in pregnant adolescents attended before the 14th week of pregnancy at the Department of Nutrition of the "10 de Octubre" Maternal and Children's Hospital, in Havana City, during 1994. Information was collected in a survey form and compared with that obtained in a control group of adult pregnant women with a normal nutritional evaluation. It was used the analysis of variance with the comparison tests a posteriori, and with a maximun permissible error of p < 0.01. Adequate size averages were determined, where as significant differences were observed (p < 0.01) on evaluating the conceptional weight and the mean circunference of the arm. This last indicator and the weight gain during the second half of pregnancy were good predictors of the maternal nutrional status. It was found a higher nutritional recovery among adolescents with an incomplete growth status, which repercuted favorably on neonatal harmony. It is concluded that an appropiate nutritional follow-up influences on the health status of the pregnant adolescent and her child.

Keywords : PREGNANCY IN ADOLESCENCE; NUTRITIONAL STATUS; BODY HEIGHT; BRACHIAL PERIMETER; BODY WEIGHT; SKINFOLD THICKNESS; WEIGHT GAIN; NUTRITION ASSESSMENT; FETAL DEVELOPMENT.