Comparison of perinatal outcome between adolescent and adult pregnancies

The aim of this study was to compare perinatal outcomes between adolescent and adult pregnancies.

In 527 adolescent and 1334 adult pregnant women who delivered at Ondokuz Mayis University Obstetrics and Gynecology Department between 2006 and 2013, perinatal outcomes were retrospectively compared in terms of including spontaneous abortion, induced abortion rate, dilatation and curettage (D&C), pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature prelabor and prelabor rupture of membranes, polihydramnios, oligohydramnios, maternal anemia, delivery modes and also neonatal outcomes including 5th minute Apgar score and fetal birth weight.

The ratio of pregnancy induced hypertension and postpartum hemorrhage was higher in adults, but, anemia was more common in adolescents. There was statistically significant difference in the mode of delivery; the ratio of cesarean section was higher in adults whereas the rate of induced abortions and D&C significantly increased in adolescents. Low birth weight (LBW) and extremely LBW rates were significantly higher in adolescents, however, 5th minute Apgar scores were found to be higher than adult group.

These results show that the perinatal care is fairly improved in Turkey.