Adolescent pregnancy: Problems and consequences

BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy continues to be a grave problem in India not only from the obstetrical point of view but from the social and economical perspectives also. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality among women between the ages of 15 and 19 in the developing world.MethodsThe present study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital of Gujarat where various sociodemographic and cultural factors associated with adolescent pregnancies were documented and compared with controls. Development of any complication during antenatal period and perinatal outcome of each pregnancy was noted.ResultsIt was found that there are more chances of developing severe anemia, severe PIH and low birth weight babies in adolescent pregnancies. Poverty and illiteracy increase the risk for the same.ConclusionCultural practices, poor socioeconomic conditions and low literacy rate are the contributory factors to adolescent pregnancy associated poor obstetric outcome.