OBSTETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPLICATIONS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objective: To determine the obstetric characteristics and complications of teenage pregnancy.

Methodology:  This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Gynae 'A' unit, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from January to December 2009. The analysis included data on 61 singleton adolescent women with ≥  24 completed weeks gestation and were compared with 367 women in their twenties, after taking informed consent. The data was retrieved after interviewing the women and also from the hospitalbased maternal health medical records including demographic details, complications of pregnancy, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Information was recorded for all the cases on structured proforma.

Results:  This data showed that adolescent pregnancies were at increased risk of operative vaginal delivery (14.7% vs 20% [p <0.05]) and perinatal mortality of 18%(5 stillbirths and 6 early neonatal deaths) particularly hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (31.2 vs 8.1% [p<0.05]), placental abnormalities(13.1 vs 6.8 [p<0.05]) and anaemia (41 vs 15 [p<0.05]). On the other hand it was observed that adolescent pregnancy was associated with lower risks of cesarean delivery and macrosomia and preterm delivery([p>0.05]). Further adjustment for weight gain during pregnancy and Apgar score at 5 min did not change the observed association.

Conclusion: These results suggest that teenage pregnancies were at increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes particularly hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, placental abnormalities and anaemia compared to adult pregnancy.