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At a time when teenage birth rates in West Virginia remain higher than the national average, a new study by maternal and child health researchers at West Virginia University (WVU) has found that babies born to teenage mothers tend to have lower birth weights and are smaller for their gestational age compared to those born to adult mothers.
The findings, published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, emphasize the urgent need for improved education and access to prenatal care for teenage mothers, particularly in rural areas.
Key Findings of the Study
The study analyzed birth data from 2018 to 2023, sourced from Project Watch, a system that records all births at hospitals across the state. Researchers examined 86,447 live births, of which 5,310—or 6.15%—were from teenage mothers. This is significantly higher than the national teen birth rate, which was recorded at 1.36% in 2022.
The highest rates of teen births were found in rural counties, with Pendleton County reporting a rate of 14.38%. Boone, Mercer, and Hardy counties also had rates exceeding 10%, whereas Monongalia County had the lowest incidence at 2.76%.
Dr. Amna Umer, associate professor in the WVU School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, emphasized that multiple factors contribute to the high prevalence of teenage births.
“The risk of teen birth is multifactorial,” Umer stated. “This study highlights the role of social, geographical, and educational factors, offering crucial insights for policymakers to expand comprehensive, evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention education and birth control access for at-risk teens.”
Barriers to Prenatal Care and Health Outcomes
The study reaffirmed previous research showing that teenage mothers often receive inadequate prenatal care, which can contribute to poorer birth outcomes.
“Teenage mothers are a vulnerable population, and there really isn’t a lot of research available—especially on those living in rural areas,” said Rylee Childers, a third-year medical student from Morgantown and the corresponding author of the study.
Childers noted that geographical barriers and transportation issues significantly impact access to prenatal care. Some rural residents must travel three to four hours to visit an obstetrician, while many teenage mothers are too young to drive and must rely on family members who may face work-related constraints.
The study also found that teenage pregnancies were more common among those enrolled in Medicaid and among minority racial groups. Given that many teen pregnancies are unintended, researchers emphasized the importance of health care providers offering contraception counseling, health care navigation, and confidential services to at-risk teens.
Implications for Policy and Health Care
The findings are expected to influence public health policies, particularly in expanding education and health care access for teenage mothers in rural areas. Childers and her colleague, Alexandra Richmond, another third-year medical student from Beckley, have been selected to present their research at the 2024 West Virginia Rural Health Conference.
“This research has opened my eyes to the health care disparities faced by rural populations,” Childers said. “It makes me think about how I can be a better provider for my patients in the future.”
Other contributors to the study include Candice Lefeber, project manager in the Division of Pediatric Neonatal and Newborn Medicine; Dr. Timothy Lefeber, associate professor in the School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics; Dr. Collin John, associate professor and chief of the Division of General Pediatrics; and Christa Lilly, associate professor in the WVU School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Dr. Umer is continuing related studies that explore substance use—particularly cannabis and vaping—among expectant teenage mothers to evaluate the long-term impacts on their health and their children’s well-being.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the study published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. The findings are intended for informational purposes and should not be considered medical or policy advice. Readers are encouraged to consult health professionals or policymakers for further guidance.
