A Study on The Foetomaternal Outcomes of Teenage Pregnancies in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy is defined as pregnancy that occurs after menarche up to the age of 19 years. It is one of the important causes of maternal as well as neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is an increased incidence of preterm deliveries, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and other maternal complications in teenage pregnant mothers. Aims and Objectives: 1. To identify the different complications associated with teenage pregnancies. 2. To evaluate the maternal and foetal outcomes of pregnancies in teenage mothers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at our institution for a period of one year from January 2021 to December 2021. It was a retrospective observational study. Methodology: Medical records of all patients admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at our institution during the study period who fulfilled the inclusion criterion were reviewed for the study.The demographic information, diagnosis, the course in the hospital, management, maternal and foetal outcomes of all the patients were obtained from these records. 50 patients who came under the teenage pregnancy age group were analysed. Results: Among the 50 teenage pregnant mothers who were included in this study, 32(64%) had one or more complications and the major complications that occurred were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (36%), anemia (20%) followed by threatened preterm labour (20%) and foetal growth restriction (14%). Most common indication for caesarean section was fetal distress (38%). The incidence of post-partum haemorrhage was 18%. Low birth weight (26%), and NICU admissions (32%) were the major adverse fetal outcomes. Conclusion: Effective and prompt preconceptional,antepartum ,intrapartum,and postpartum care along with contraceptive guidance given to the teenage population,could go a long way in minimizing the risks and complications associated with teenage pregnancies. Keywords: teenage pregnancy, foetomaternal outcomes