ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

A COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM THE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the obstetric outcomes in adolescent and adult
primigravida. Study Design: A comparative, cross sectional study. Setting: Gynae unit 3,
Jinnah hospital, Lahore. Period: One year from Jan-Dec 2014. Methodology: Study population
was adolescent primigravida (<19 years) and adult primigravida between the ages 20-29 years,
250 in each group who were > 24 weeks of gestation. Obstetric complications were recorded
as percentages of anaemia, pre-eclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage,
gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm delivery, instrumental delivery, cesarean section rate, low
birth weight, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes and NNU admission. Data was entered into SPSS 16.
Chi square test applied and a p-value of<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean
age of adolescent group was 18.4+ 0.56 years while it was 24+2.47 years in adult primigravida.
The data revealed that the adolescent mothers are at higher risk of certain obstetric risks when
compared to adult primigravida .These include anaemia ( 41.2% VS 17.6%), pregnancy induced
hypertension (14.4% VS 1.6%), preterm delivery (21.6% VS 13.6% ), instrumental delivery (6.4%
VS 1.6%), cesarean section rate (24% VS 12%), low birth weight (20.4% VS 8%), Apgar score
<7 at 5 minutes (4% VS 2%) and NNU admission (19.2% VS 8%). The risk of antepartum
hemorrhage (1.6% VS 1.2%), postpartum hemorrhage (0.8% VS 1.6%), gestational diabetes
mellitus (1.2% VS 2%) and malpresentation (1.6% VS 2%) were not different in two groups.
Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with a higher rates of certain obstetric risks
like anemia, preterm delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension, instrumental delivery, cesarean
section and poor neonatal outcome However the risk of antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum
hemorrhage and malpresentation is no greater than adult pregnant mothers.