[Epidemiologic and obstetric aspects of adolescent pregnancies in the hospital milieu]

Adolescence is a period of change where the person is seeking an identity. This period is characterized by an early sexuality with early pregnancies and risky deliveries. The objectives of our study are to show the epidemiologic aspects of adolescent pregnancy and to identify its obstetrical factors. It is a prospective study held in one year, from August 1st 1991 to July 31 1992 including all pregnant adolescents and those coming for delivery at the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic at the University teaching hospital Le Dantec. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is 3.7% and 84% are primiparous. The non-educated represent 65% and 55% are married. Early sexuality and early pregnancy are mostly seen among Pulars. The complications during pregnancy are toxemia and its accidents (17.6%), premature rupture of membrane (4.4%) and anemia (2.5%). Adolescent who had not received prenatal care represent 11% and 38% had not received enough care. Normal delivery happened in 67.5% and the C-section represented 7.5%. 3% of the adolescents had done unsafe abortion. No maternal death was observed. 89.1% live births were reported, however, 18.4% needed intensive care. Because of the obstetric and neonatal problems, early pregnancy should be prevented through a active collaboration of divers partners.