A study evaluating the perinatal outcomes in teenage pregnancy

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is one of the important social problems faced worldwide. It increases the risk of neonatal mortality and also significantly deteriorates the health of the mother. The most common complication in teenage pregnancy includes anemia, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia and depression in the mother and increased risk of congenital malformation, sepsis inadequate weight gain and failure to thrive due to lack of maternal care in the neonate. This study evaluates the postnatal complications in teenage pregnancy (less than or equal to19 years). Lack of awareness, attainment of early puberty and early marriage are the important causes for prevalence of teenage pregnancy in India. A cohort retrospective study was done in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital during the period January-July 2020; which involved collection of data from 2011-2019. This study shows among the teenage pregnancies 82% of cases had normal vaginal delivery,14% were delivered by cesarean section and 4% by forceps delivery. But there was no significant association between mode of delivery and teenage pregnancy. Moreover, teenage pregnancies had higher incidence of vaginal delivery. Also, Immediate Complications such as anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, Premture rupture of membranes, placenta previa, abruption, neonatal death and IUGR were seen in 27% cases and late complications such as inadequate weight again and failure to thrive were present in 43%. Although most patients delivered through normal vaginal delivery the complications in teenage pregnancy was found to be relatively more than pregnancy in an adult. The study showed that teenage pregnancy is a high risk pregnancy and can be promoted by sex education and emphasizing the importance of contraception.