Characteristics and risks of pregnant adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: To determine incidence, risks and complications of pregnancy and delivery in adolescents. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Augusto Hernández Mendoza Hospital IV, EsSalud, Ica, Peru. Patients: Pregnant adolescents. Methods: Between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014, 177 adolescents who delivered at the hospital were studied and their characteristics compared with a control group consisting in 177 pregnant women 20 to 34 years old. Data were obtained from medical records and delivery registries. Main outcome measures: Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. Results: Teenage pregnancy represented 6.63% of all obstetrical patients attended. Pregnancy complications like anemia (18.2%) and urinary tract infections (14.1%) were predominant in adolescents, and hypertension (17.5%) occurred more in the older group. Cephalo-pelvic disproportion and acute fetal distress were main indications for caesarean section in teenagers. The frequency of postpartum complications in the observed cases was significantly higher than in controls (p <0.05). Conclusions: Pregnancy in adolescence represents a high obstetrical risk. Health and sexual education and sanitary policies are necessary to reduce pregnancy rates in these teenagers.