Adolescent Pregnancy Complicated by Thrombosis

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy is a significant global health concern, with more than 21 million girls aged 15-19 and two million under age 15 becoming pregnant each year in developing countries. Pregnancy occurs in approximately 13% of the US adolescent population and 25% of the world adolescent population. The physical effects of pregnancy on adolescents are significant. Pregnancy and complications related to childbirth are the leading cause of death for adolescent girls aged 15-19 worldwide. Adolescents with preexisting hematologic disorders of thrombosis or coagulation, like their adult counterparts, are at increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcome during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. In this chapter, we review physiology of thrombosis in pregnancy and clinical considerations for diagnosis and management of pregnant adolescents with hematologic disorders.