Teenage pregnancy and its effect on maternal and child health--a hospital experience

Sixteen mothers died out of 2279 teenage deliveries contributing a high maternal mortality rate of 7.02 per 1000 during the study period. 15 adolescent mothers who died had no access to prenatal care. An increased incidence of low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg) babies was observed among teenage deliveries. Incidence of premature deliveries were more among teenage mothers. Severe anemia, puerperal sepsis and hypertension were the dominant complications experienced among adolescent mothers.