Outcome of Teenage Pregnancies in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: - Adolescent pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy associated with complications arising from adverse physiological, anatomical and soco-economic factors. Objectives:- To determine the pattern and obstetric outcome of adolescent pregnancies. Study Design, Setting And Subjects.:- A retrospective analysis of teenage pregnancies at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria was carried over a 5 years period, 1997 to 2001. A total of 180 teenage Pregnancies were analyzed and compared with 170 controls. Main Outcome Measures:- Pregnancy complications in teenagers compared with controls. Results: There were statistically significant differences between adolescent mothers and mature mothers in the rate of unemployment (58% vs. 27%, p< 0.001), anaemia (48.8% vs 27.0%, p< 0.01), preterm labour (26.6% vs 11.8%, P< 0.01), booking status (56.7% vs 78. 8 % p< 0.001), unsure of last menstrual period (44.5% vs 16.5%, p< 0.001), Caesarean section (10.0% vs 8. 2%, p< 0.05), CPD as indication for caesarian section (6.7% vs 4.3% p< 0.05), low birth weights (33.3% vs 8.2%, p