Pregnancy and abortion in greek adolescent gynecologic clinics

Recently was noted that teenagers are sexually active in younger ages and demonstrate lower compliance to contraceptive methods. An unintended, and most of the times unwanted pregnancy, brings teenagers before a crisis. The decision for the interruption of the pregnancy is nowadays taken frequently. Purpose of this study was to evaluate adolescent pregnancy and abortion rates in Greek adolescents.

We recorded all adolescents presented and admitted in the University Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Athens Medical School, from 1985 to 2003. We recorded the gestational age at delivery, pregnancy outcome and birth weight.

Adolescent mothers, aged 14-19 years old, represent 7,48% of total births of the two University Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Athens Medical School. Among the teenage pregnancies, 36% resulted in birth, 56% in abortion and 8% in miscarriage. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks and 4 days and the mean birth weight was 2.920 g. Teenage birth rate has declined from 9.0% in 1985 to 5.2% in 2003.

Teenage pregnancy rates have declined over the last years but still remains a serious medical and social problem. Abortion rates are still extremely high during adolescence.