“Perinatal Outcome of Adolescent Pregnancy and Labour”

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is the problem of both developed and developing countries. In developed country modernization may contribute to unwanted pregnancy as a result of relaxation of traditional, cultural norms prohibiting premarital sexual activity. But in our country early marriage, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of adequate healthcare facilities, failure to seek family planning advice due to social taboos and shyness are the cause of this problem. Objective: To evaluate perinatal outcome of adolescent pregnancy and labour. Methods: This is a prospective case control study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh from 1st January 2008 to 1st July 2008.A total number of 100 adolescent pregnant women who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Purposive consecutive sampling from admitted patients. One hundred pregnant women of 15 to 19 years case group and One hundred pregnant women of 20 to 35 years control group who were admitted into the hospital during the same period. Results: The overall percentage of adolescent mother during this study period among total 4592 obstetric cases admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) is 5.75% (264 cases were teenagers and 4202 were between 20-35 years old control group). Statistics significant test for difference in proportions were conducted in some of the events of both groups. Above table shows majority of adolescent mothers were between more than 17 years up to 19 years (88%). In control group majority from age 2030 years (76%). Above tables shows 38% adolescent mothers were illiterate, 32% had primary education, 8% had secondary education and 22% could sign only. In control 20% illiterate, 24% could sign only, 38% had primary education and 18% had secondary education.54% of adolescent mothers has normal vaginal delivery,4% had assisted breech delivery, 2% had forcep delivery, 4% had ventouse delivery and 36% had caesarean section. Whereas in control group caesarean section was 38% and normal vaginal delivery 59%.foetal conditions were noted. 60% of neonates of adolescent mothers were healthy and 76% of neonates of older mothers were healthy. The differentiation was statistically significant between two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: From our study we can say that, in order to improve the teenage health periodic information, education, community activities, ANC camps to be held at primary health care centers. Further study is needed for better outcome.