Abstract
Objective: To identify the epidemiologic profile of the teenage mother; determine the frequency of teenage deliveries at CHME/Monkole; identify the most common obstetric complications during childbirth in adolescents; and evaluate the maternal and fetal prognosis of teenage birth in our environment. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study with a retrospective approach using records of teenage births admitted to the CHME/Monkole maternity between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. Results: The overall rate of teenage delivery was 3.9%. 2016 saw a high rate of 55.2%. The average age was 18.2 years old, and the age group 17 - 19 was the most affected. The commune of Mont-Ngafula had registered more cases than the other communes with 56.7%. The majority of teenage girls who gave birth were primigravida (91%). Urogenital infection was the most common pathology observed during antenatal care (ANC) visits in teenage pregnancies (25.4%). Fetal-pelvic disproportion and water loss were the most common reasons for transfer, 15% each. Most pregnancies were completed (73.1%). The delivery was eutocic in 55.2% of cases. The tearing of the soft tissues was the most encountered complication (7.5%). Most newborns (83.6%) had not received neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room. One case of maternal death was registered (1.5%), and two cases of neonatal deaths were noted (3%). Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is a risk factor for childbirth. The most important risk is presented by a caesarean section following a bony pelvic dystocia and the tearing of the soft tissues during eutocic delivery. Educating young people about family planning remains important to prevent early pregnancies and thus promote girls’ schooling.
Highlights
IntroductionAdolescent birth in the world and especially in poor and low-income countries remains a real public health problem because it has multiple consequences in the life of the adolescent mother, her child and in society
The adolescent birth rate is referred to as the age-specific fertility rate for women aged 15 to 19 years old.Adolescent birth in the world and especially in poor and low-income countries remains a real public health problem because it has multiple consequences in the life of the adolescent mother, her child and in society.The situation remains alarming in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where most of the population is poor
We conducted a descriptive study with a retrospective approach using records of teenage births admitted to the CHME/Monkole maternity between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017
Summary
Adolescent birth in the world and especially in poor and low-income countries remains a real public health problem because it has multiple consequences in the life of the adolescent mother, her child and in society. The situation remains alarming in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where most of the population is poor. It is, necessary to note that some traditions and customs, as well as degrading socio-economic conditions, favor early marriage among adolescent girls, sometimes resulting in unwanted teenage pregnancies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 16 million girls aged 15 - 19 give birth each year, and most of them in low- and middle-income countries. According to the same organization, teenage pregnancy remains one of the major contributors to maternal and child mortality and contributes to the cycle of poor health and poverty [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
