A Clinical Observation of Newborns of Unmarried Mothers.
- Author:
Song Hyeun EUN
1
;
Chan Sook PARK
;
Mi Hwa YANG
;
Jin A SON
;
Jae Youn KIM
;
Don Hee AHN
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Prenatal care;
Unmarried mother
- MeSH:
Apgar Score;
Birth Order;
Birth Weight;
Cesarean Section;
Female;
Gestational Age;
Head;
Humans;
Illegitimacy*;
Infant, Newborn*;
Male;
Maternal Age;
Medical Records;
Mothers;
Pregnancy;
Prenatal Care;
Retrospective Studies;
Sex Ratio;
Single Person*;
Thorax
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology
2001;8(1):128-132
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of prenatal care of the unmarried mothers. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 131 newborn babies of unmarried mothers who were hospitalized at National Medical Center from April, 1998 to August, 1999 were compared to 131 newborn babies of married mothers who were also hospitalized at National Medical Center from June, 1999 to August, 1999 by reviewing their medical records retrospectively. RESULTS: Average age of mothers were 20.1+/-4.0 years in unmarried group and 28.8+/-4.4 years in married group, which was statistically significant. In unmarried group, the highest rate of maternal age (55.8%) was below 20 years of age, which showed increased tendency compared to previous report. In cesarean section rate, there was significant difference; 11.4% in unmarried group and 48.1% in married group. In the birth order, the first baby was most frequent in both groups. The sex ratio showed 1.78 : 1 with male preponderance in unmarried group and 1 : 1.02 with slight female preponderance in married group. In average gestational age, birth weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, 5 minutes Apgar score, and admission rate, there was no significant difference. The unmarried group had more babies in postmaturity and meconium-stained condition. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in growth and morbidity rate between newborn babies from unmarried mothers who had prenatal care and those from married mothers.
