Studies showing that pregnancy-related risks increase with the mother’s age are well-known. However, a new study from Soroka hospital confirms that there are also risks involved in pregnancies of very young mothers, News1 reports.

The study followed three groups of pregnant women: 1,482 ages 15 to 17, 5,876 ages 18-19, and 24,627 ages 20-24. It found that low birth rate was significantly higher among babies born to 15- to 17-year-old mothers, at 17.7% compared to 14.3% for 18- to 19-year-olds and 11.5% for those in the 20-24 age group.

Researchers noted that the link remained even when differences such as prenatal care and ethnic background were factored in.