Is underage abortion associated with adverse outcomes in early adulthood? – A longitudinal birth cohort study up to 25 years of age

STUDY QUESTION Is underage abortion associated with adverse socioeconomic and health outcomes in early adulthood when compared with underage delivery? SUMMARY ANSWER Underage abortion was not found to be associated with mental health problems in early adulthood, and socioeconomic outcomes were better among those who experienced abortion compared with those who gave birth. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Teenage motherhood has been linked with numerous adverse outcomes in later life, including low educational levels and poor physical and mental health. Whether abortion at a young age predisposes to similar consequences is not clear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This nationwide, retrospective cohort study from Finland, included all women born in 1987 (n = 29 041) and followed until 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We analysed socioeconomic, psychiatric and risk-taking-related health outcomes up to 25 years of age after underage (