International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

This study investigates the complex association between maternal age at first birth and adverse child health outcomes—low birth weight, stunting, wasting, and being underweight—across eight South and Southeast Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Timor-Leste), using cross-sectional data from recent Demographic and Health Surveys (2016-2022). Maternal age was categorized as early (<20 years), mid (20−29 years), and late (30+ years). The prevalence of early first births varied significantly, peaking at 54.3% in Bangladesh. Findings indicate that maternal age acts as a double-edged sword: early motherhood (<20 years) was a significant risk factor for stunting in Timor-Leste [AOR: 2.0 (95%CI: 1.20−3.34)] and being underweight in India [AOR: 1.17 (95%CI: 1.10−1.23)], yet was paradoxically protective against wasting in Nepal [AOR: 0.41 (95%CI: 0.19−0.90)]. Conversely, late motherhood (30+ years) increased the risk of low birth weight in Pakistan [AOR: 2.61 (95%CI: 1.05−6.45)] and Timor-Leste [AOR: 2.67 (95%CI: 1.05−6.80)], but provided strong protection against stunting in Timor-Leste [AOR: 0.27 (95%CI: 0.12−0.61)] and against both wasting [AOR: 0.14 (95%CI: 0.02−0.94)] and being underweight [AOR: 0.33 (95%CI: 0.10−1.10)] in the Maldives. In countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines, socio-economic covariates were more dominant, nullifying the age-outcome association. In conclusion, maternal age at first birth is a significant yet highly heterogeneous factor, demanding nuanced, country-specific public health policies that address the diverse risks of both early and late childbearing.