International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 11, No. 11, November 2021 | pp. 81–88

DOI: 10.46882/2021/IJMMS/110081

Original Research Article

Epidemiological Trends and Perinatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies in an Urban Tertiary Referral Center

Evelyn N. Kamau¹, Tunde O. Adebayo², Sarah M. Touré¹*

¹Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Adolescent pregnancy is an important public health issue associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcomes due to biological immaturity and socioeconomic barriers. This descriptive retrospective study analyzed epidemiological trends and perinatal outcomes of adolescent deliveries over a four-year period (2017–2020) at an urban tertiary hospital. Clinical and demographic records of all pregnant adolescents aged 10 to 19 years who delivered at the facility were analyzed and compared with a control group of adult mothers aged 20 to 29 years (n = 500). Out of 12,400 total deliveries, adolescent pregnancies accounted for 8.5% (1,054/12,400). The majority of adolescent mothers belonged to the late adolescent group aged 17–19 years (82.4%), while early adolescents aged 10–16 years accounted for 17.6%. Adolescent mothers had a significantly higher rate of inadequate antenatal care attendance (< 4 visits) compared to the adult group (48.5% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001). Perinatal outcomes revealed that adolescent pregnancies were associated with significantly higher rates of preterm birth (18.6% vs. 8.4%, p < 0.01), low birth weight (22.3% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001), and a higher rate of emergency cesarean sections due to cephalopelvic disproportion (24.5% vs. 14.0%, p < 0.01). Neonatal intensive care unit admissions were also more frequent for infants born to adolescent mothers (15.4% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.01). Adolescent pregnancies carry elevated perinatal risks, underscoring the need for targeted youth-friendly antenatal services, comprehensive sex education, and improved social support systems.

Keywords: Adolescent Pregnancy, Perinatal Outcomes, Preterm Birth, Low Birth Weight, Cesarean Section, Antenatal Care

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 14, 2021; Revised: August 22, 2021; Accepted: September 10, 2021; Published: November 11, 2021.

Citation: Kamau EN, Adebayo TO, Touré SM. Epidemiological Trends and Perinatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies in an Urban Tertiary Referral Center. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2021, 11(11): 81–88. DOI: 10.46882/2021/IJMMS/110081

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