Study of Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Teenage Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in a girl of 11-19 years when her first baby is born is defined as teenage pregnancy by WHO. Teenage pregnancy is considered as high risk due to increased maternal and foetal complications. AIMS& OBJECTIVES: To determine the maternal and foetal outcome in teenage primigravidae. METHODOLOGY: Teenage primigravidae of any age attending the antenatal OPD of a teaching hospital are included in the study. Women with medical complications are excluded from study. RESULTS: At least half of teenage primies were uneducated, unbooked, anaemic, and about 20 % delivered preterm. Caesarean section rate, low birth weight babies and NICU admission were higher than a control group of primies of 20 years and above. DISCUSSION: Irregular antenatal check-ups, late booking/nonbooking at hospital, high incidence of anaemia, preeclampsia, preterm labour, Increased caesarean section rate, low birth weight babies, NICU admissions were more in teenage primigravidae and these studies were related with Indian studies. CONCLUSION: There is a need to avoid early marriage and delay the first pregnancy in order to avoid the maternal and foetal complications of teenage pregnancy. KEY WORDS: teenage primi, anaemia, preeclampsia, preterm, preeclampsia