Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancy: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.4.2025.586Keywords:
teenage pregnancy, adolescent pregnancy, maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes, low birth weight, obstetric complicationsAbstract
Relevance: Adolescent pregnancy (at ages 10 to 19 years) represents a significant global health challenge, with prevalence rates of 1.49-17.5% across populations, contributing to increased maternal and neonatal morbidity due to physiological immaturity and psychosocial factors.
The study aimed to analyze obstetric and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies compared to those in adult pregnancies, providing evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
Methods: This literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for publications from 2015 to 2025. Of the studies screened, only 10 met the inclusion criteria: they clearly defined adolescent groups, compared with adult controls, and reported specific obstetric outcomes. The statistical analysis examined prevalence rates, odds ratios, and significance levels for maternal complications, delivery outcomes, and neonatal morbidity.
Results: Adolescent mothers demonstrated significantly higher rates of maternal complications. Anemia was most prevalent (7.5% vs 4.1%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60-3.67; P < 0.0001). Hypertensive disorders showed markedly increased risk, with eclampsia demonstrating four-fold higher odds (AOR: 4.03; 95% CI: 1.73-9.39) and pregnancy-induced hypertension occurring in 11.3% versus 4.2% of adult pregnancies. Delivery outcomes differed significantly: adolescents had higher vaginal delivery rates (76.8%) and episiotomy (AOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.25-3.39; P < 0.001), while adults experienced more cesarean deliveries (28.8% vs 18.4%). Neonatal outcomes showed increased low-birth-weight rates among adolescents (17.5% vs 6.8%; P = 0.001), with mean birth weights of 2.8-2.98 kg versus 3.98 kg.
Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with significantly elevated rates of anemia, hypertensive disorders, and episiotomy despite lower birth weights. These findings underscore the need for age-specific prenatal care protocols emphasizing early nutritional screening, hypertensive disorder surveillance, and evidence-based delivery management to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.
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