Teenage pregnancies and its obstetric outcome - A study in a tertiary care centre

Delphine T. Rose; Sudha V.S.

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

Teenage pregnancies and its obstetric outcome - A study in a tertiary care centre

Delphine T. Rose, Sudha V. S.

Abstract :

Teenage pregnancy has been viewed with increasing concern in recent years. Health concerns have focused on the medical risks to the young mother and her infant. The aim of the present study was to observe the obstetric outcome in such teenage pregnancies. A prospective analysis of all Teenage pregnancies was done over a period of 1 year from November 2016 to October 2017. Maternal and neonatal outcome were analyzed. Among the 16,101 admissions during the study period, teenage pregnancies were 248 .The prevalence of teenage pregnancies was 1.54%. Caesarean delivery rate was 29% among teenagers. Preterm delivery rate was 12% in teenage mothers. 13% had developed hypertension in pregnancy. Teenage mothers had increased low birth weight rates – 43%. Teenage pregnancies have a detrimental effect on maternal and perinatal health. Hence strict laws are the need of the hour to stop teenage marriages. Adolescent girls should be educated about safe sex practices, contraceptive methods and maternal and fetal complications of teenage pregnancies.