127 Early pregnancy outcome in different age groups in women who attended an early pregnancy assessment service

Abstract

Objective. (s): To review the early pregnancy outcome and characteristics of women in different age groups who attended an early pregnancy assessment service. Study design: This was part of a study which was designed to examine validity of an early pregnancy viability scoring system to assist in women’s counselling. All Chinese women attending early pregnancy assessment clinic, with a singleton pregnancy less than 84 days of gestation, were invited, excluding those diagnosed to have miscarriage on first visit, having termination of pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy. Women’s age and symptoms were assessed, ultrasound (USG) was performed to assess the pregnancy. Their pregnancy outcome was assessed at 13-16 weeks of gestation by either phone contact or reviewing medical record system. Teenage pregnancy was defined as maternal age under 20 years old. Results. A total of 1518 women were invited to join the study, 1458 (96.0%) agreed to participate in the study. 1271 women completed the study, the mean age of the cohort was 31.1 years old (range 18-47 years old). Among them 16 (1.2%) were between the ages of 18-19 years old. For teenagers who attended the service, 3 had bleeding alone (19%), 7 had abdominal pain alone (43%) and 6 had both bleeding and abdominal pain (38%). Advanced age and large subchorionic hematoma were significantly associated with miscarriage in our cohort (Relative Risk = 2.0; 1.7, respectively, both P < 0.05). Only one teenager had subchorionic hematoma detected on USG. There is no statistical significant difference in the gestation age in which teenagers or non-teenagers sought advice in our clinic, with a mean of 8.25 (Range 5-14, SD ±1.96) weeks in teenagers. Fetal heart beat was not detected in 4 out of the 16 teenage pregnancies (25%) on the initial scan, but all had viable pregnancies on review at 13-16 wks. Compared to non-teenagers, the rate of viable pregnancy at 13-16 weeks was 80% and 65% for women between 20-34 years old and above 35 years old respectively. Conclusion (s): The miscarriage rate is generally lower in our population of teenagers who attended the clinic, compared to women of other age.